tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17943536624190367742024-03-05T18:05:44.438-08:00Belina Blue EyesAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-63956888632464863352011-10-26T20:36:00.000-07:002011-10-26T20:36:45.784-07:00DIY: Fruit Fly Trap of DEATHFruit flies!<br />
<br />
Ack!<br />
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Everywhere!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sound familiar? Today I'm going to show you a great trick for catching and killing fruit flies. You only need three items.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMdNqqLLCOgk5FKkRcjBxHpKmzPkmqP-aOKpbjgAsw66WtMSMkpn0i6BPZIfaI1kHRkmZWP_jI6SkfV4MvRqYFXzZC89j4HTBU6a9H2amguZ4epMOWvVP2lIdR92bIikARANhBkB2F_Y/s1600/IMG_6128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMdNqqLLCOgk5FKkRcjBxHpKmzPkmqP-aOKpbjgAsw66WtMSMkpn0i6BPZIfaI1kHRkmZWP_jI6SkfV4MvRqYFXzZC89j4HTBU6a9H2amguZ4epMOWvVP2lIdR92bIikARANhBkB2F_Y/s400/IMG_6128.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-Dish soap (any kind)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-Cider Vinegar</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-a small dish</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pour one or two tablespoons of cider vinegar in the dish.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1nfi_7G33c9abwW6VfO9YsiMXtImLHEOY_jfCtGrQmRp3y6-xzALUtg0htD57L2ANu8Tlt6U6Fe-KCrCmt_-oTvrBuy0nvUIJzWtfEWlRKaK6WnXZiPnyJd-DxeuyVtAw8oc3YFOwFQ/s1600/IMG_6129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1nfi_7G33c9abwW6VfO9YsiMXtImLHEOY_jfCtGrQmRp3y6-xzALUtg0htD57L2ANu8Tlt6U6Fe-KCrCmt_-oTvrBuy0nvUIJzWtfEWlRKaK6WnXZiPnyJd-DxeuyVtAw8oc3YFOwFQ/s400/IMG_6129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then pour about a teaspoon of dish soap into the cider vinegar. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsAVhmDO2Pa2Iq8gDX-wctVhWrtuoalf_ef6Gtrp3tVpkr9Q6VbkKjDAsYLf-y-cSVfcuMQt01efqzF7NwbhlvdsZx_T0wQFbLHidAoWJH7fqWcTDaItgCiX9eXDfXtJ2cFbFIDPF3bU/s1600/IMG_6130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsAVhmDO2Pa2Iq8gDX-wctVhWrtuoalf_ef6Gtrp3tVpkr9Q6VbkKjDAsYLf-y-cSVfcuMQt01efqzF7NwbhlvdsZx_T0wQFbLHidAoWJH7fqWcTDaItgCiX9eXDfXtJ2cFbFIDPF3bU/s400/IMG_6130.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Set the dish out wherever you see the most fruit flies and let the bloodbath begin!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NYqWLAuTHTQFjD0pDqWtt-EfhzQJeBQx22jVVdf9oedAs3x8tGEwiGmLXsKixkCxoRfC39661bevzKzeI4N1qt8AYWS5z7WQL6Wt1DGsdk3ZNtCdIOV-5j-I3vIj-jd7-xr4B5gB5Qs/s1600/IMG_6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NYqWLAuTHTQFjD0pDqWtt-EfhzQJeBQx22jVVdf9oedAs3x8tGEwiGmLXsKixkCxoRfC39661bevzKzeI4N1qt8AYWS5z7WQL6Wt1DGsdk3ZNtCdIOV-5j-I3vIj-jd7-xr4B5gB5Qs/s320/IMG_6127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>MWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa cough cough. <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-49667400559068409452011-10-21T16:07:00.000-07:002011-10-23T16:34:09.159-07:00rockin' chair redoIn the land of blogging and Pinterest, the transformation of ugly, unwanted things into treasured beauties is what inspires me most. After reading several amazing blogs about refinishing furniture, I decided to give it a try myself. For several days, I hunted for just the right project to start with; something small but useful. Finally, I found an old child's rocking chair at the Goodwill for $14.99, and the rest is history! <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">BEFORE</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuqQ8ejeZrIZ2uo-ssujuZK8rYhvKB07_uKbHt48FAfKrZwK4zQlrPUdkJQT7CWvx75lcaj6GixYI0I5CzItU6zmpgeB0LAlCAAp-Ud6hEiA8892e7slSZHl3M_-A3ZlE-JpkwQPHWj8/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuqQ8ejeZrIZ2uo-ssujuZK8rYhvKB07_uKbHt48FAfKrZwK4zQlrPUdkJQT7CWvx75lcaj6GixYI0I5CzItU6zmpgeB0LAlCAAp-Ud6hEiA8892e7slSZHl3M_-A3ZlE-JpkwQPHWj8/s400/IMG_6056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">AFTER</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy_u3GdIfwd_7wyJj9gvHY0pRF9n6fumCw92yWC_JSaEAHtTjf0O6cSyleZAL_Iyvo7z5fHSZP2KcOZ9bfqHkFOgFFPLEFUgIJeBKHUTpdY7qXyAGX5bO03nJLmKCMtRbzjoHeLCxnFA/s1600/IMG_6105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy_u3GdIfwd_7wyJj9gvHY0pRF9n6fumCw92yWC_JSaEAHtTjf0O6cSyleZAL_Iyvo7z5fHSZP2KcOZ9bfqHkFOgFFPLEFUgIJeBKHUTpdY7qXyAGX5bO03nJLmKCMtRbzjoHeLCxnFA/s400/IMG_6105.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">HERE'S THE SCOOP:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The first thing I did was make repairs. One of the legs had been damaged and the previous owner had tried to fix it with some witch's brew of sawdust, glue and hair. For all I know there were bat's eyes in there, too. See the hair? GRODY. I sanded that crap off with glee.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVqENMaRC13Tw6Lyq9TGgFyvc2JlFMerGfAAcrM4qCZm7R2M6d6Tu2v3Yg4_BejNVmA6FceI9nqij0qvM8TlDdJ2sOuoEifJDOjHXCVnmw51Ei2KiE-jN2sNyDE_XLrIrXBTPmNttDYg/s1600/IMG_6054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVqENMaRC13Tw6Lyq9TGgFyvc2JlFMerGfAAcrM4qCZm7R2M6d6Tu2v3Yg4_BejNVmA6FceI9nqij0qvM8TlDdJ2sOuoEifJDOjHXCVnmw51Ei2KiE-jN2sNyDE_XLrIrXBTPmNttDYg/s400/IMG_6054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I painted. I used Behr Plus which is paint and primer combined. The color is 'Silver Sage' which is a nice grey/green. I sanded some weird parts of the chair down before painting but I didn't do the whole thing. I didn't strip or stain it prior to painting either, because I was happy with the color of the stain already on the chair. Oh, and I just used a cheapo sponge brush! The pros use a paint gun but guess who's not a pro? ME!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THE ROCKIN' CHAIR AFTER PAINT (TWO COATS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZORcSkZAo4EPKvnJFO0CNMUicg9uIdw64TKLASjU63lw5DwDVDuyK8GPxL1l27c-QCD4yeU0dV6bTtqXY3Ota6cvYOC3sCVI9mInv7ou-MViK_-MxROvyilu2QeAruAHwKAnruNfnw0/s1600/IMG_6070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZORcSkZAo4EPKvnJFO0CNMUicg9uIdw64TKLASjU63lw5DwDVDuyK8GPxL1l27c-QCD4yeU0dV6bTtqXY3Ota6cvYOC3sCVI9mInv7ou-MViK_-MxROvyilu2QeAruAHwKAnruNfnw0/s400/IMG_6070.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the paint was dry I distressed the whole thing using a 60 grit sanding block. This was one of the more fun and creative parts of the process. I imagined where little hands would rest, where feet would rub, and where the chair would get banged into walls, and these were the areas where I sanded. I even put wear marks on the seat to make it look like little bums have been scooting in and out of it for years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AFTER DISTRESSING</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AwPxskI60c_w7N160LbZds8h51r81Nmc40Tan1kBarv-9LMi4OkbtjZOhw02pIeMaXMKivFiL17yPjJITNSxL_O0grUd_gkrNLUn6BznEKF9Q8FjqvDV8BUAkCbumIGkhvWE-B-hrAo/s1600/IMG_6073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AwPxskI60c_w7N160LbZds8h51r81Nmc40Tan1kBarv-9LMi4OkbtjZOhw02pIeMaXMKivFiL17yPjJITNSxL_O0grUd_gkrNLUn6BznEKF9Q8FjqvDV8BUAkCbumIGkhvWE-B-hrAo/s400/IMG_6073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last step was glazing. This stressed me OUT! I really liked how the chair looked after distressing and wasn't sure I wanted to risk messing it up by glazing it. But I wanted to try it out so I went ahead and did it. Just slap your glaze mix on and wipe it off with a rag. It gets in all the nicks and nooks and looks like a million very old bucks when it's done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I mixed three parts Behr Faux Glaze with one part Minwax Wood Finish in Ebony. I would NOT recommend using the Behr Faux Glaze. It mixed poorly with the wood finish and over time morphed into a gelatinous, chemical snot ball. Did I mention I'm not a pro? The insanely talented Sausha from <a href="http://www.theshowandtellblog.com/">The Show And Tell Blog</a> recommends using Clear Mixing Glaze by Valspar from Lowe's. See her very helpful post on glazing furniture<a href="http://www.theshowandtellblog.com/2011/01/how-i-glaze-furniture.html"> here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">GLAZING</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYcZVtNHZpRgreubuuh8xkPOYCwnP8HFS6-AEVpo_sj02w3jpJLoQaHqSAGrYAFlycwovhMP3AtgSQYICmvDFZB2tk3W1MoblMZ-S3sRIdC4etbXJDTq95jOQmIu1-QVzfWbs-4j9ynY/s1600/IMG_6088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYcZVtNHZpRgreubuuh8xkPOYCwnP8HFS6-AEVpo_sj02w3jpJLoQaHqSAGrYAFlycwovhMP3AtgSQYICmvDFZB2tk3W1MoblMZ-S3sRIdC4etbXJDTq95jOQmIu1-QVzfWbs-4j9ynY/s400/IMG_6088.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I let it dry for a day or so, tied a big bow on it with some muslin fabric I had, and that's it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXe1LDDqd9F5eJgZdZWARjL0KhMlsFGPsjDn0Hx1aHZlCEwy4ruUvloNN4du6bquojiRi83ujRW8QJnARybHbflbTASwWMIR-9yVNnKmoi2-15HsWykX73WEQcxsl72038OAocAroMCpQ/s1600/IMG_6112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXe1LDDqd9F5eJgZdZWARjL0KhMlsFGPsjDn0Hx1aHZlCEwy4ruUvloNN4du6bquojiRi83ujRW8QJnARybHbflbTASwWMIR-9yVNnKmoi2-15HsWykX73WEQcxsl72038OAocAroMCpQ/s400/IMG_6112.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53SGTMfANFlI4YWaLBZ68zEHVTuC3iUq-VzFDUolECBhSq52d6-GF4VOZpOZ64XpajObWadSVsqX-V5vE6gtT9I7byI1z-I16fkVWfkM4HB0d8vkuXXBpqM2G4s6sG7DuSqsFIOGFCXc/s1600/IMG_6107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53SGTMfANFlI4YWaLBZ68zEHVTuC3iUq-VzFDUolECBhSq52d6-GF4VOZpOZ64XpajObWadSVsqX-V5vE6gtT9I7byI1z-I16fkVWfkM4HB0d8vkuXXBpqM2G4s6sG7DuSqsFIOGFCXc/s400/IMG_6107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAqY_Rv3Vr8W2Z4a9VtgrQY0IrSE8X4z7gc9KvR7wPBFX_-XQaeZpvirD5o-uA1O5274O-cT2fxdt2pvv_XhKJLraxHoZxxqX027Sp70NlXJQ3t5uZgkq8rcUJu0MdRG8NebQzzCFGs8/s1600/IMG_6111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAqY_Rv3Vr8W2Z4a9VtgrQY0IrSE8X4z7gc9KvR7wPBFX_-XQaeZpvirD5o-uA1O5274O-cT2fxdt2pvv_XhKJLraxHoZxxqX027Sp70NlXJQ3t5uZgkq8rcUJu0MdRG8NebQzzCFGs8/s400/IMG_6111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81qeX2SMy22hlBqoVOpZBPLpVdMT3WXBdPWvCe_4hO40PGXhYE_7tucSDdDpHiZ8CA0u5Ujz8n-xYf0exKXnBcr1NkwJEhV_j3XR67mUiv6XHCue-LJnZkzp5kTZYyYo7M-XIe64Q-fY/s1600/chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81qeX2SMy22hlBqoVOpZBPLpVdMT3WXBdPWvCe_4hO40PGXhYE_7tucSDdDpHiZ8CA0u5Ujz8n-xYf0exKXnBcr1NkwJEhV_j3XR67mUiv6XHCue-LJnZkzp5kTZYyYo7M-XIe64Q-fY/s400/chair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sigh. I just LOVE happy endings.</div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-21419372664963380502011-10-13T23:07:00.000-07:002011-10-25T14:32:50.774-07:00No-Sew Oilcloth Chair Protector<div align="left" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9lvqb7x_-E8kJROJT3TL_Mc4Qz7zCTVjxSThQ6jXqRDDbT1XZIYdVDfO25yG4xSuCHMbsmpyMxu5uuWZsGU0XFQlrethh32xVBgz_j5gGSlpBEb5NiKzOuDZkEB0G1n2pGgSRh2adew/s1600/chaircover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9lvqb7x_-E8kJROJT3TL_Mc4Qz7zCTVjxSThQ6jXqRDDbT1XZIYdVDfO25yG4xSuCHMbsmpyMxu5uuWZsGU0XFQlrethh32xVBgz_j5gGSlpBEb5NiKzOuDZkEB0G1n2pGgSRh2adew/s640/chaircover.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I saw on a blog a while ago (that I don't even remember now, sorry!) where a mom had actually upholstered her bar stools with oilcloth so she could clean them easily. </div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When Lydia switched from a high chair to a booster, my mom mentioned I should put something under the booster to protect the chair it was sitting on. I remembered the blog with the oilcloth chairs and a light bulb went off! </div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I measured my chair and made a pattern of it on wide freezer paper. I also measured how much oilcloth I would need to wrap around the seat of the chair and attach to the bottom of it (sorry I didn't take any pictures of this part!)</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then I cut out the pattern from the freezer paper and tested it on my chair to make sure it fit and covered all the parts I wanted it to. Then I laid the pattern on my oilcloth and traced. In this case, it doesn't really matter if you trace on the right or the wrong side of the oilcloth, but I would recommend tracing on the wrong side so you don't see your trace marks.</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I then cut the pattern from the oilcloth. On the bottom of the chair where I wanted the oilcloth to wrap and attach, I put one-ish inch pieces of sticky Velcro. Leave both pieces of Velcro sticking to each other so that when you wrap your oilcloth under the chair it will automatically stick to the exposed adhesive. Like so:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0vnn-frgrfgeOofZaAf1BVavtVhNhotVPo73sY6-l7mifv2j-hHBA4YpmeKIfjwli6Pt6JTXwCAjf21qprw13uT4XebOFvYLECv8kk8_CEW1cp6atuN8bK29rPfABGr_ABvKLuysFVE/s1600/chaircover3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0vnn-frgrfgeOofZaAf1BVavtVhNhotVPo73sY6-l7mifv2j-hHBA4YpmeKIfjwli6Pt6JTXwCAjf21qprw13uT4XebOFvYLECv8kk8_CEW1cp6atuN8bK29rPfABGr_ABvKLuysFVE/s640/chaircover3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And that's it!</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWw068wRSyh-lGy8qwjc0VuzZiTkRysNX3NaiGxRZ9DVoX1uBNeYI9ilmjlIa0hTY_ISOeGTIKqmxo6KRHAj_UJMxDBeIaqZLCoInrwOnz6FruGcbrrBY9G7SOHX7S6eSN9rvQCdA67Q/s1600/chaircover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWw068wRSyh-lGy8qwjc0VuzZiTkRysNX3NaiGxRZ9DVoX1uBNeYI9ilmjlIa0hTY_ISOeGTIKqmxo6KRHAj_UJMxDBeIaqZLCoInrwOnz6FruGcbrrBY9G7SOHX7S6eSN9rvQCdA67Q/s640/chaircover2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And whenever I want to remove the oilcloth, I just separate the Velcro, like this, and nobody would ever know that that chair is the one that gets doused with milk, yogurt, fruit, and mac and cheese!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUupHhe7GHFT4vX5KzTHbgIr0nyb-4loMqgF_WmXNe4Y0EYO22JSsOp7m2Cg6PUejJUZrTI21Sua5vZ8fG-J7KexFdLrdXos89B_4xS1MyYNQLL5A2rD0TZhUDYW3GhbSIIlkKdw2c5Q/s1600/chaircover4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUupHhe7GHFT4vX5KzTHbgIr0nyb-4loMqgF_WmXNe4Y0EYO22JSsOp7m2Cg6PUejJUZrTI21Sua5vZ8fG-J7KexFdLrdXos89B_4xS1MyYNQLL5A2rD0TZhUDYW3GhbSIIlkKdw2c5Q/s640/chaircover4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left">I ordered my oilcloth from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/oilclothaddict?ref=ss_profile">Oilcloth Addict</a> on Etsy, which has a great selection. </div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-82914789129694065932011-10-10T22:43:00.000-07:002011-10-10T22:48:59.332-07:00pumpkins and simmering spice pots<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">My mom used to simmer spices in her old pots to make the house smell good. I loved the aroma of the clove and cinnamon wafting through the house as the mixture bubbled away on the stove. I had forgotten about this handy and resourceful trick until the other day when I was going through my fall candles. Instead of burning one, I went through my spice cupboard. Into the pot went a handful of cinnamon sticks, some star anise (smells like licorice), whole cloves, a dash of vanilla, and a few leftover apple slices from lunch. I added a few cups of water, brought the mixture to a <span style="background-color: white;">boil </span>and then set it to a low simmer. Away it happily bubbled for hours and the smell was divine! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a list of things you could throw into your own spice pot:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Fruit juices (don't throw away your expired juice! just throw it in the pot!)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Lemon, Orange, or Lime peels</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Apple slices or peels</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Cloves</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Vanilla</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Anise</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Evergreen sprigs</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Nutmeg</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Bay Leaves</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Lavender</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Rosemary </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Experiment with different combinations. Just don't forget to check the pot every once in a while. If the water or juice gets low, just put more in and keep it simmering. As with candles, please don't forget about it and leave the house with it still simmering on the stove!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sN6XfazjOoVezSUjj7YOFaqMwjQ6VIR2K_Mds8w-nZ5FC0m7beuZic-eXSHafwEie8m0viKhp-mlSsE9fyKnW2QcoVnSsG6CSqRF4-BliBkKqxBmvgenEQSzrh9n0A3kuO-l4oxZToE/s1600/simmeringspicespot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sN6XfazjOoVezSUjj7YOFaqMwjQ6VIR2K_Mds8w-nZ5FC0m7beuZic-eXSHafwEie8m0viKhp-mlSsE9fyKnW2QcoVnSsG6CSqRF4-BliBkKqxBmvgenEQSzrh9n0A3kuO-l4oxZToE/s400/simmeringspicespot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Last Saturday we went to a farm near our home where we could pick our own pumpkins. Our dear friends, the Jones, invited us. Their son is Lydia's best friend.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO-nH0LBKG8Adm9vG9C2UmRmuiQIGK8JxPf6JgoaI8UuezoKcqkHJ26yRzg0mqK_Gk4sdEPniVCIXMJ44uG6biJ6mk2ks6TXShK4hCOifZ8EUFJbowufRbFCKRCvsaIvsMSsZNlLS_R0/s1600/lydiaandnobleinthepumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO-nH0LBKG8Adm9vG9C2UmRmuiQIGK8JxPf6JgoaI8UuezoKcqkHJ26yRzg0mqK_Gk4sdEPniVCIXMJ44uG6biJ6mk2ks6TXShK4hCOifZ8EUFJbowufRbFCKRCvsaIvsMSsZNlLS_R0/s400/lydiaandnobleinthepumpkins.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We all quite enjoyed ourselves and Lydia picked herself a perfectly petite pumpkin. I think, though, that I've gotten more than my money's worth out of those pink leggings and can now feel good about retiring them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fznpeoAzP-cfaclJpvUxoopqzmSYHpsYnE112Qom-1fPXpY6sgcWh7h_lCAc5cRjUTTIrgsen9_rVGVd4T-qW9kU8b1wL_SqfRzeOajG-5hArS1hFbOTYHVdznFrCVG2smOwmrCfeFI/s1600/lydiainpumpkinpatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fznpeoAzP-cfaclJpvUxoopqzmSYHpsYnE112Qom-1fPXpY6sgcWh7h_lCAc5cRjUTTIrgsen9_rVGVd4T-qW9kU8b1wL_SqfRzeOajG-5hArS1hFbOTYHVdznFrCVG2smOwmrCfeFI/s400/lydiainpumpkinpatch.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left">P.S. Are you proud of my photo editing skills? I'm just learning. I think photo editing is swell.</div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-77702364359917563052011-09-02T14:02:00.000-07:002011-10-25T14:32:03.098-07:00a cookie of considerable superiosityIf you're like me, you want cookies.<br />
<br />
Right now.<br />
<br />
Let me help you with that.<br />
<br />
Round up the following:<br />
<br />
1 box of cake mix (any flavor)<br />
<br />
1/4 cup vegetable oil<br />
<br />
1/4 cup water<br />
<br />
1 egg<br />
<br />
1 cup of anything you want to throw in (candy bits, fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.)<br />
<br />
Throw all that in a bowl. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5OKEoEtll0ld66sMjCMONxT1EbXa-7bSavqNh5zBc0tW876JSIT0crD8e6p1JRAuwVFQgRiJLvSG1FTiwLqRsqpcC8Ogik9RWqej6Gh_m1RwSEdwnVngh12pDoP4hyrEwIGVuun-0RU/s1600/IMG_5666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5OKEoEtll0ld66sMjCMONxT1EbXa-7bSavqNh5zBc0tW876JSIT0crD8e6p1JRAuwVFQgRiJLvSG1FTiwLqRsqpcC8Ogik9RWqej6Gh_m1RwSEdwnVngh12pDoP4hyrEwIGVuun-0RU/s320/IMG_5666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Stir.<br />
<br />
Form into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. I rolled mine in powdered sugar after balling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHen_gd9D5p7617InWVEtJkv0oFoa8dYeLFPQhzTI-lCYSB2V7WTgCzRC0aucGCIFayWOXXEU0qab6G2PQyS8nO6p_7I-mpYGU6WzX7nTRMSAYISxUS1po9rs3ifC_1QWHahh2YllfrC4/s1600/IMG_5667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHen_gd9D5p7617InWVEtJkv0oFoa8dYeLFPQhzTI-lCYSB2V7WTgCzRC0aucGCIFayWOXXEU0qab6G2PQyS8nO6p_7I-mpYGU6WzX7nTRMSAYISxUS1po9rs3ifC_1QWHahh2YllfrC4/s320/IMG_5667.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
Bake at 350 for 10-11 minutes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV_r0ghEg3T-IEPB9P7_uoBDX3zV7I9F4-n3kCyNm0ojmzmOuKKrD87gbnojoZ4F9nD-kkULyPP9_1lTi0yqFsAv-KlgH7gz4RNW8wPdRVv3gSHC8KHHdxQ54hJUlScvcHN16hN2RmVU/s1600/IMG_5668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV_r0ghEg3T-IEPB9P7_uoBDX3zV7I9F4-n3kCyNm0ojmzmOuKKrD87gbnojoZ4F9nD-kkULyPP9_1lTi0yqFsAv-KlgH7gz4RNW8wPdRVv3gSHC8KHHdxQ54hJUlScvcHN16hN2RmVU/s320/IMG_5668.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
Give them to your kids.<br />
<br />
They will be happy you did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcZfQg75y4Wk9-qHhlvo20-qWkVXdAWKRAjWebjqKYrWRJb_BI_4gY5fyEqQurBKrlpd9Chxdu5GwNbJ30a39Rjc636uWA4XGMA1MxItNDfa72311Z62Swc-djndFQ5wXvPJqtPFSpos/s1600/IMG_5670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcZfQg75y4Wk9-qHhlvo20-qWkVXdAWKRAjWebjqKYrWRJb_BI_4gY5fyEqQurBKrlpd9Chxdu5GwNbJ30a39Rjc636uWA4XGMA1MxItNDfa72311Z62Swc-djndFQ5wXvPJqtPFSpos/s320/IMG_5670.JPG" width="240" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
And so will you.<br />
<br />
Need some variations? Try yellow cake mix with white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts; cherry cake mix with chocolate chips; devil's food cake mix with mint chocolate chips; red velvet cake mix with crushed candy canes. Frost 'em, dip 'em, sandwich 'em. Love 'em.<br />
<br />
Like I love you.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-23546452121544764322011-04-09T21:47:00.000-07:002011-04-09T21:48:33.794-07:00After DinnerHer hair was messed.<br />
<br />
She wasn't wearing a shirt. <br />
<br />
The kitchen was a wreck.<br />
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But man, we had fun.<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="540" height="290" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zSHQPoGXVkc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-49917519992735735502011-04-01T21:20:00.000-07:002011-04-01T21:20:20.776-07:00A Few Words; A Few Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubu13yaM693GSnD2NF1r4jF_6XfubX1yjho8ni9WCJI8lzrskXRf58BEa4gun5uXId2HX_GWynp_1Hhc6KWI1CZSD7HkaRugGP_4xyYzpFJge7yZATEOJyz8oTaG23vfNkeSkvVwviDg/s1600/teenylydia.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubu13yaM693GSnD2NF1r4jF_6XfubX1yjho8ni9WCJI8lzrskXRf58BEa4gun5uXId2HX_GWynp_1Hhc6KWI1CZSD7HkaRugGP_4xyYzpFJge7yZATEOJyz8oTaG23vfNkeSkvVwviDg/s320/teenylydia.bmp" width="240" /></a></div>Yesterday this little baby said "no" for the first time.<br />
<br />
And then she said it 900 times.<br />
<br />
The first thing on her docket this morning was to thoroughly inspect her wardrobe...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjUUZv5UJeyipMmKZCyzyxIP_qe0eOmeyMpsPky4E9xW7iKX6PlpUFH7Bl8HgNPQ79hvylRTSLghyHPyarysAEtVW8CNhTdl8wphR_1nSVVZlwXy9AG3wGwq5xKJi4WgizcV-6TAf31k/s1600/IMG_4832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjUUZv5UJeyipMmKZCyzyxIP_qe0eOmeyMpsPky4E9xW7iKX6PlpUFH7Bl8HgNPQ79hvylRTSLghyHPyarysAEtVW8CNhTdl8wphR_1nSVVZlwXy9AG3wGwq5xKJi4WgizcV-6TAf31k/s320/IMG_4832.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
by pulling everything out...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hbrGtqjGE6YilwV8GVM_D7_50nsJ9lZx_hG05bbixpx0tN-ue_NEZNv607dn1poeEoiP1gAKjMT0z1MNu70cYE-LYwDY9FPR9v4sx51MqZGWWv3qhsYJBAGkNDxxh8W9poJhlHgcyXg/s1600/IMG_4825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hbrGtqjGE6YilwV8GVM_D7_50nsJ9lZx_hG05bbixpx0tN-ue_NEZNv607dn1poeEoiP1gAKjMT0z1MNu70cYE-LYwDY9FPR9v4sx51MqZGWWv3qhsYJBAGkNDxxh8W9poJhlHgcyXg/s320/IMG_4825.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
...and trying everything on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfwQjstrEizEb3RWMegJwHtU6AS3TqhC4H-DXxiP6z-_G4gacVifydwqBeZk7dYcO7YfkE8JPUNQyBNQ8E5IWoIW3yT3nmfCnSzd-DzmyVMA5r5mykF5m2pH8e1XLl6HwieHzetqo3Jw/s1600/IMG_4827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfwQjstrEizEb3RWMegJwHtU6AS3TqhC4H-DXxiP6z-_G4gacVifydwqBeZk7dYcO7YfkE8JPUNQyBNQ8E5IWoIW3yT3nmfCnSzd-DzmyVMA5r5mykF5m2pH8e1XLl6HwieHzetqo3Jw/s320/IMG_4827.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It kind of made a mess, but I let her do it because she put everything back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfUw8iLy8FsTTm8fNM89T-FOvRoCLPxgiC0BBrpO2bvaZgxfAv9tv9AERiloandnTXRV_XoMyM28G7-ZFjDs65N3Cr7Obhoi4bByTbZKupNGMfPURgOvo3UurWfc2_3yp4TLA-_cAbFA/s1600/IMG_4831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfUw8iLy8FsTTm8fNM89T-FOvRoCLPxgiC0BBrpO2bvaZgxfAv9tv9AERiloandnTXRV_XoMyM28G7-ZFjDs65N3Cr7Obhoi4bByTbZKupNGMfPURgOvo3UurWfc2_3yp4TLA-_cAbFA/s320/IMG_4831.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>And because she has these little honey colored curls...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrcAhw8MMQl_JGQHdyMVY91kISJIv9CPNlN3nfjaic6ivntYqlAd5DpINLKCbhKYs7zeGxjvpTF03LjBIp2SzJ0MI9Y8wQPJCzMBBvoLDq9WD3JtyH-JZ_uq5YeDXfq7SgjY1bjoc4ps/s1600/IMG_4828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrcAhw8MMQl_JGQHdyMVY91kISJIv9CPNlN3nfjaic6ivntYqlAd5DpINLKCbhKYs7zeGxjvpTF03LjBIp2SzJ0MI9Y8wQPJCzMBBvoLDq9WD3JtyH-JZ_uq5YeDXfq7SgjY1bjoc4ps/s320/IMG_4828.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
that could charm the socks off a snake.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-85946600764187271992011-03-08T13:24:00.000-08:002011-03-08T13:57:36.501-08:00For The Mamas And The Papas, Y'all.Since 100% of our family and 60% of our friends live outside the state of Oregon, I do need to occasionally indulge in a Lydia post. Ya know what I'm sayin'? <br />
The mamas and the papas need to see their grand baby. So, if babies make you gag, if you find their rolls of fat revolting, or if you have adverse reactions to sweetness, you should leave this blog post now. Go to people.com and read about Charlie Sheen or something. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsvAbSmWQsfTQPx0NrzDBBYfOiDoDuXgPNTQjRLK7PByMBq1orrgR_jEkeCKOn5eD2BnIpEm6jAx0ik42pzmBt3E5zguXWQuv-ZCHSHBQJxfBQ0mmSgVBJqZGtZsCf-aNXlhbCNJrxP4/s1600/March+2011+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsvAbSmWQsfTQPx0NrzDBBYfOiDoDuXgPNTQjRLK7PByMBq1orrgR_jEkeCKOn5eD2BnIpEm6jAx0ik42pzmBt3E5zguXWQuv-ZCHSHBQJxfBQ0mmSgVBJqZGtZsCf-aNXlhbCNJrxP4/s400/March+2011+020.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Lydia is now 13 1/2 months old. Her vocabulary list is growing almost as fast as she is. She can say hi, uh-oh, dog, night-night and go, and I'm beginning to think that the word 'dee dee' is what she means for binky. She waves hi and bye, and signs for food, more, and all done. <br />
<br />
She has 7 teeth and one more just about to poke through. <br />
<br />
She still usually takes two naps a day, but she has been changing up her schedule, pushing her morning nap later. I think this is her trying to transition from two naps to one. She sleeps through the night (Hallelujah!) from about 7 p.m. to about 7:45 a.m. It took her 10 months to sleep through the night and I am still catching up, often taking a nap when she does. I don't feel guilty about it, either.<br />
<br />
Yesterday Lydia was playing around the kitchen while I was cleaning up breakfast. When I turned around I saw this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEFePqjEIk72lt5DHnWqLSMGaK1Hi-GODsLR2q81ccAaP-hXh81r-YVN3ggfJg_xQjZtL53H2qC8ZWR-Ld6cUFH7z6-V1zyH3p3PZIxXknKo6xW3qtizLjNM0x9reFzarEDR8ukVgGBs/s1600/March+2011+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEFePqjEIk72lt5DHnWqLSMGaK1Hi-GODsLR2q81ccAaP-hXh81r-YVN3ggfJg_xQjZtL53H2qC8ZWR-Ld6cUFH7z6-V1zyH3p3PZIxXknKo6xW3qtizLjNM0x9reFzarEDR8ukVgGBs/s400/March+2011+003.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>She had pulled down the bread, pulled nearly the entire loaf out of the bag, and was shoving as much as she could in her mouth. Please also note the floor of my pantry behind her. Yes, that's the dog food bowl.<br />
<br />
She has a playroom now, which is great for a number of reasons. First, her toys aren't scattered all over the house. Second, she loves it. My mom and I set it all up when she was visiting a few weeks ago.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIMTRMiUJcgtqnz_ZkhvCmqvSb6skfLEEnASghGcj8XTcvSJ76VsyklDx3yqHr0H9jngJTXQhEIE7ozNRRysouE0aluiPwRstrSt4y113sYPXqd0c3VRGayz3pUm0rWSX5SBvqyfLLkA/s1600/March+2011+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIMTRMiUJcgtqnz_ZkhvCmqvSb6skfLEEnASghGcj8XTcvSJ76VsyklDx3yqHr0H9jngJTXQhEIE7ozNRRysouE0aluiPwRstrSt4y113sYPXqd0c3VRGayz3pUm0rWSX5SBvqyfLLkA/s400/March+2011+056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2dYyNgv3u5BzihBWM5P82YV2B4mwr_fzOol45EYaN-ZV75S5cvAR7kQeYKGToFXPSEQBHVqNGRFTuI54xprysb6tgPcR32c3FZI-W96_MYQIGFI6iODTBw6smmZjodVcQbfup_-K1cY/s1600/March+2011+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2dYyNgv3u5BzihBWM5P82YV2B4mwr_fzOol45EYaN-ZV75S5cvAR7kQeYKGToFXPSEQBHVqNGRFTuI54xprysb6tgPcR32c3FZI-W96_MYQIGFI6iODTBw6smmZjodVcQbfup_-K1cY/s400/March+2011+054.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lydia seems to have no interest in walking. She occasionally stands on her own for a few seconds, but doesn't really seem to have any desire to do that, either. Just within the last couple of days she started to let us hold her hands and walk her up and down the room. She does, however, walk along the furniture, the walls, etc.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She also climbs. On everything. EVERYTHING. See?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoE7uclPmCK3DpZf0Q7nfvRAW-mCkW6C2dHe6zDaKWxXUmzRIyl_d0JI3UxIE4lWU0HKWeTxbqY3bIc43TZkYjlflFBs1vYLul6Fxk7qt88a3rz9pfJN3N0jk7DBbL9uQSM-Wt_ye6Eo/s1600/March+2011+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoE7uclPmCK3DpZf0Q7nfvRAW-mCkW6C2dHe6zDaKWxXUmzRIyl_d0JI3UxIE4lWU0HKWeTxbqY3bIc43TZkYjlflFBs1vYLul6Fxk7qt88a3rz9pfJN3N0jk7DBbL9uQSM-Wt_ye6Eo/s400/March+2011+047.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>And once she's on top of whatever she was climbing, she holds her hands out to you to be put on the ground so she can climb up all over again.<br />
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Lydia loves going outside. She loves rocks, but hates grass.<br />
<br />
Yesterday we were outside playing and accidentally brought a ladybug in the house with us. Thinking I could have one of those sweet moments where the baby sits there and watches the ladybug/caterpillar/butterfly crawl around her pudgy baby hand, I showed her the critter. And before I could do anything, she picked it up and squished it between her fingers with a gag-inducing CRUNCH. <br />
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It was gross.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Finally, she can spoon feed herself and insists upon doing so. It's been a long, messy road to get to this point. Brian and I have often put the food on her tray and turned our backs because it drives us so crazy to see her take a big spoonful of yogurt, get it almost to her mouth, and then put it in her hair. Or spill it in her lap. Or feed it to the dog. But she is getting better, as you can see. And hey, they've gotta learn sometime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxmO7C7IKt8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shucks. I'm just bustin' with pride.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-70051309196316496382011-02-23T12:48:00.000-08:002011-02-23T12:48:07.620-08:00Your Assistance, Please<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yesterday I finished the last central square on my latest quilt project and could not figure out how I wanted the layout to look. My mom helped me arrange one when she was here visiting, but I tried a couple of others just to see what they looked like, and now I can't decide which one I like best. So, what do you think?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At random?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BddVu0KZ1byPy_XALFV45UGlH00AumuULrjjXiorqXufkDqQTLecr83dQwbt1CjxrKxAiCOjJUMStgbqKlFMaGq8qh5Ba0kZAn0Xe60sxBb3uCYAhD6cuQGQToIQdx2s6CzyQulWvmo/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BddVu0KZ1byPy_XALFV45UGlH00AumuULrjjXiorqXufkDqQTLecr83dQwbt1CjxrKxAiCOjJUMStgbqKlFMaGq8qh5Ba0kZAn0Xe60sxBb3uCYAhD6cuQGQToIQdx2s6CzyQulWvmo/s400/020.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Semi-random?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo31twLXURo6zpIC_uboQ89aFGU3J3f3LmYN2f2OJCoSs26q3RBCxlgCH1Lkp55jueCsHzNVCWjy8jrFPrKNyATBzdomKiI4ukLgLdSErp8BM7kcqVOTrGD-6UIoVyUYFXcqLYLF4yeA/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo31twLXURo6zpIC_uboQ89aFGU3J3f3LmYN2f2OJCoSs26q3RBCxlgCH1Lkp55jueCsHzNVCWjy8jrFPrKNyATBzdomKiI4ukLgLdSErp8BM7kcqVOTrGD-6UIoVyUYFXcqLYLF4yeA/s400/021.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Or The Rainbow Effect?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iAoS5Rz_PaMZxX1Ne2vnY0-ScwtLVpDdKbLwYUy016f2CGjEYjEA4rIrnwNZRUxDPC4jx6-BgpkGoFd7qxHISaLeQxQ1sJpDGY5WvK01sr0PLuq82PE_3RzQUJkVx_YpLMOYVM7X_zI/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iAoS5Rz_PaMZxX1Ne2vnY0-ScwtLVpDdKbLwYUy016f2CGjEYjEA4rIrnwNZRUxDPC4jx6-BgpkGoFd7qxHISaLeQxQ1sJpDGY5WvK01sr0PLuq82PE_3RzQUJkVx_YpLMOYVM7X_zI/s400/017.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I have a little poll set up on the right side of the blog, so go vote, would ya?<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have had so much fun working on this. There are two outer borders yet to be made; one has applique vines and flowers and the other is a sawtooth pattern. I am piecing and quilting this by hand, and have plans to enter it in the County Fair this summer. I'm so dang domestic I can hardly stand it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Can't wait to see what you all vote on. Thanks for your help!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh, and did I mention that a certain someone turned ONE last month?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwiGBJaGnSZFUMtvDvcy3bCkt9GkONJBscsj3JRSCBb_M8CHyBI3_1FqftMj9XdgTxzoYuqGVyRM4yKpcKuAUI32G3wjX8lVgHRZvbDvoXxGu4evoiJLrcNliAUc6YAvIU9F4RZYqUO8/s1600/165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwiGBJaGnSZFUMtvDvcy3bCkt9GkONJBscsj3JRSCBb_M8CHyBI3_1FqftMj9XdgTxzoYuqGVyRM4yKpcKuAUI32G3wjX8lVgHRZvbDvoXxGu4evoiJLrcNliAUc6YAvIU9F4RZYqUO8/s400/165.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, she did. </div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-84730128139911948162011-01-23T14:37:00.000-08:002011-01-23T14:37:20.533-08:00The Big EmbraceLet's face it, ladies. Our bodies aren't the same bodies after we put them through the rigors of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. We're a little wider. A little looser. A little more womanly. So why then, pray tell, do I hold on to my pre-pregnancy, NAY! pre-WEDDING clothing?<br />
<br />
But it' not just that I keep them. <br />
<br />
Why do I try to WEAR these things? Oh, it brings me much shame to admit this to you, dear reader. There is a part of my brain that thinks if I try to wear that size zero skirt that I got on clearance at a Banana Republic with Kim that winter we went to Florida that I <em>will</em> be a size zero. <br />
<br />
But we all know (pity me) that this just isn't so.<br />
<br />
I am a different woman. I am more woman. And it's bittersweet to say goodbye to memories (that is what my clothes are to me!) but wise to embrace the new. So to my closet I march, to fill a garbage bag with too old, too small, too warn and too faded clothing. Never to be worn by this lady again. So long to that silk top from J. Crew that I wore to a luau in Hawaii and a Dave Matthews Band concert the summer after I graduated High School. Farewell.<br />
<br />
Auf wiedersehen.<br />
<br />
Adieu.<br />
<br />
Adieu, Adeu. To yieu, and yieu, and yieu. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next Time: The Adventures of Mom HairAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-22317522456435461202010-10-31T21:55:00.000-07:002010-10-31T22:17:19.061-07:00There's a First for Everything<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today was Lydia's first Halloween. It was also the first Halloween that Brian and I shut off all the outside lights and pretended like we weren't home. It didn't start out like that, with us all old and crotchety and holed up in our den (which is also the living room, family room, dining room, and front room. I just used the word 'den' because it sounded more, you know, dennish). It actually started out with us walking our tall, blonde, Oregon State cheerleader around to meet the neighbors. We took her home when she started to get a little chilly. We gave her candy and asked her to pose for our cameras, but she gave us the cold shoulder. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Typical cheerleader behavior.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysro1CMNq90kQpQflVotXRjDTvv1ynBIyFFBKGdFZkGKZ27fEWngceYCJjp1XCurBsNXvlROEDxUNb_mWzM5JGF98I25yKzqM2JjSHTdsLqHQ9DEX6oRk3EDKWd42Nat5iqIPSV30RZo/s1600/IMG_4342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysro1CMNq90kQpQflVotXRjDTvv1ynBIyFFBKGdFZkGKZ27fEWngceYCJjp1XCurBsNXvlROEDxUNb_mWzM5JGF98I25yKzqM2JjSHTdsLqHQ9DEX6oRk3EDKWd42Nat5iqIPSV30RZo/s320/IMG_4342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She wanted to go to bed early tonight because church just really takes it out of her. Missing that morning beauty rest is not awesome, she tells me in not so many words. So I put her down, sound asleep, and rag doll-esque about 6:30. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And that's when the goblins and ghosties came out in numbers. This is how it would go: There would be a loud knock (or the doorbell would ring repeatedly because of one particularly naughty button-pushing little fairy who, apparently, couldn't read my big orange 'please knock' sign), which would set the dog to barking, and then the kids would yell "Trick or treat!" And then the baby would wake up, screaming as if to say "<em>Why </em>does this keep <em>happening</em>?!" And, just like missing that morning nap, it was not awesome. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I would have just stopped giving out candy, but I had a huge bowl of it with even more in the pantry. I was desperate to get rid of it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I started noticing Brian getting agitated; i.e. he would walk around aimlessly and sigh heavily every once in a while. I asked him if he was okay. "Are you stressed about the week coming up?" I asked. "A little," he said. A few moments passed. Then he said, "Actually, the thing that's stressing me out the most right now is that the baby keeps getting woken up by trick or treaters. I feel really bad for her." </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And my little heart went out to him. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So we shut off all the lights and acted like we weren't home. But we so were. And we sat on the couch watching football with an enormous, enormous bowl of candy all to ourselves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpq4mIdgMyWRgqpxgSRsM_guyrynrx9v2GABWx7yn7c8mtdHxZX2yqWdKB2VF_WTf-kSbc3kneAH7PrLZTzzM5aDdWcw1FlgNBXM1MwABfO6ec9pm_l9JOI1T4hMrgAzm7oDw6CVBpCjc/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpq4mIdgMyWRgqpxgSRsM_guyrynrx9v2GABWx7yn7c8mtdHxZX2yqWdKB2VF_WTf-kSbc3kneAH7PrLZTzzM5aDdWcw1FlgNBXM1MwABfO6ec9pm_l9JOI1T4hMrgAzm7oDw6CVBpCjc/s320/IMG_4371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Happy Halloween. </div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-83288179279311918662010-10-29T15:47:00.000-07:002010-10-29T21:38:30.747-07:00Did I Hear A Niner In There?Hey there. Remember when I looked like this?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq5hOsMMqc66FPjJ9IQE5b16Dc7AvJeOn4DP3ekY_SuTqTiQcLLFR7ZW7Q7z06-cAcn8ptIe8NmFdILeVjHsLg2shjtcSFTDvcQ0mJyQCiPm8mBtTmxESEzf-sXntcIjtbOwv9YQUqUU/s1600/IMG_3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq5hOsMMqc66FPjJ9IQE5b16Dc7AvJeOn4DP3ekY_SuTqTiQcLLFR7ZW7Q7z06-cAcn8ptIe8NmFdILeVjHsLg2shjtcSFTDvcQ0mJyQCiPm8mBtTmxESEzf-sXntcIjtbOwv9YQUqUU/s320/IMG_3305.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Me neither. Boy. What a whopper. That shirt is like, "<em>Must...hold...on! Must...not...rip!" </em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
It feels like that was a lifetime ago. And indeed it was. A nine-month-long lifetime. I was reflecting today on how my limited experience with motherhood has changed me, and I was pleased to conclude that I am not the worse for wear.<br />
<br />
I'm more responsible. (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Except for one vehicular homicide. Sorry, cat.)</span><br />
<br />
I'm more organized,<br />
<br />
I'm more disciplined.<br />
<br />
I'm more empathetic. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I felt super bad about killng you, cat.)</span><br />
<br />
I'm more neat and tidy.<br />
<br />
I'm more spiritual.<br />
<br />
I'm just...more. More than I was nine months ago, that's for certain. Things that used to be of great importance to me have fallen by the wayside; Dave Matthews Band, for example. Things that never used to cross my mind have become front and center in my conciousness; the price and durability of any number of baby items, top of stairs baby gates, food storage, a high quality kitchen table and chairs that will become the stage for many family meals to come. Sleep.<br />
<br />
But perhaps most importantly, there is this <em>other</em>. This small person. This child. This nine month old.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ66f6ZXN8tE4GCP-OIVxsF815IxsGLqDG_P4AvoVVrY58eKwfTG8obK_fBgUWs9EcrRF9Yf-_shy_JMwkZZy6gb9QkZFo70zrZGvzwdBNPgjNjJrxCioQvpDyfX0jv-ns74As0fUuHps/s1600/IMG_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ66f6ZXN8tE4GCP-OIVxsF815IxsGLqDG_P4AvoVVrY58eKwfTG8obK_fBgUWs9EcrRF9Yf-_shy_JMwkZZy6gb9QkZFo70zrZGvzwdBNPgjNjJrxCioQvpDyfX0jv-ns74As0fUuHps/s320/IMG_4319.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>And I'll tell you what the very best part of it all is:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I think she likes me.</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-71373655931333065042010-10-21T17:25:00.000-07:002011-10-25T14:34:23.544-07:00Halloween Wreath!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My friend Chelsea posted a cute wreath she made for fall (or really any holiday at all) and Lydia totally LOVED IT, so she was like, "Hey, Ma! Make one of those things!"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbyAIlGyd1ARUuMRKZjyqX9d-em4ZgtqqhlNqZyDMGgL4KMy8I3Mjwr1M73v8g7VnWK6NWErvjbVSch__HwrxAuAU5z0b9r-A7fslCv6jgBQGpzl3T9VOV9-MvrgeRHgIgzu5iWEC6pU/s1600/IMG_4272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbyAIlGyd1ARUuMRKZjyqX9d-em4ZgtqqhlNqZyDMGgL4KMy8I3Mjwr1M73v8g7VnWK6NWErvjbVSch__HwrxAuAU5z0b9r-A7fslCv6jgBQGpzl3T9VOV9-MvrgeRHgIgzu5iWEC6pU/s1600/IMG_4272.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I made a Halloween version since I'm short on spooky decor. I bought a regular grapevine wreath and then spraypainted it white to contrast the black roses. I think I went a little lopsided on the left side there...oopsy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1afsKHzv0HtokOVUQaJP6vBfa8_vZPyZZznSWy7bhP8hVs0J3XJM7F9-OKG07qTH8wQjh0vrUhT5ONmfjHU0HScr5GWDd4Dd7aNutU9lAH0iDT_kf1pFXDyhWbCNvRi-QhaeJ7A4HBk/s1600/IMG_4280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1afsKHzv0HtokOVUQaJP6vBfa8_vZPyZZznSWy7bhP8hVs0J3XJM7F9-OKG07qTH8wQjh0vrUhT5ONmfjHU0HScr5GWDd4Dd7aNutU9lAH0iDT_kf1pFXDyhWbCNvRi-QhaeJ7A4HBk/s1600/IMG_4280.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And, of course, a craft just isn't a craft without <span style="font-size: x-large;">GLITTER.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQVyNJffdMfup3DA9gVpGQANKlhJ3AqabFpsDtryYTBRmLumqC11mveLAqJxA2xNf2zdJuaCwsHhMijQOoCVFmgv7eO_dqD79VWlgsI0NKEtdrXkcgW6_NqbS0NyQQVE1szWufkxM0kg/s1600/IMG_4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQVyNJffdMfup3DA9gVpGQANKlhJ3AqabFpsDtryYTBRmLumqC11mveLAqJxA2xNf2zdJuaCwsHhMijQOoCVFmgv7eO_dqD79VWlgsI0NKEtdrXkcgW6_NqbS0NyQQVE1szWufkxM0kg/s400/IMG_4281.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Check Chelsea's out on her crafting blog, <a href="http://itsgoodfortheheart.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-rose-wreath.html">It's Good For the Heart</a>. And find the tutorial to make your own here at <a href="http://theprettypoppy1.blogspot.com/2010/07/pretty-little-rosie-wreath.html">The Pretty Poppy</a>!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And I just have to share these earrings I bought today at Kohls. So spooky! So awesome! So...owly? I might just have to wear these all year round.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNZlheNJyxbQh1Kr0QDzz6P9gl4OJQApCK2DkbZv5Z5rNjwRgXQ_JzDEpP06a_W_s4fClxzf4mbAeO0uSsbeKjsH28KgqddQs_yNyzKYJW_VYJ_QIucaVrhRKQn8Mtt4B84TOy1Bwb4M/s1600/IMG_4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNZlheNJyxbQh1Kr0QDzz6P9gl4OJQApCK2DkbZv5Z5rNjwRgXQ_JzDEpP06a_W_s4fClxzf4mbAeO0uSsbeKjsH28KgqddQs_yNyzKYJW_VYJ_QIucaVrhRKQn8Mtt4B84TOy1Bwb4M/s400/IMG_4310.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-68444326758826297162010-10-16T21:46:00.000-07:002010-10-16T21:46:20.584-07:00The Incident, A Bad Case of the MomsWhen Brian and I first bought this house, the furniture that we had to fill it with consisted of a bed, a TV, a couch, a love seat, and a desk. <br />
<br />
We ate on the floor for awhile and then decided that was for the birds. Or some other creature that sits on the floor to eat.<br />
<br />
We were poor. And we were cheap. So we bought the cheapest, for-poor-people table and chairs we could find. <br />
<br />
And they are cheap. <br />
<br />
The chairs are poorly designed, being incredibly top heavy. The table top is glass. I knew it was only just a matter of time before there was an 'incident'.<br />
<br />
Well. The time came two days ago. I was doing the dishes (again) and Lydia was over by the sliding glass door (which is near the table) babbling away to herself. I peaked over at her and she was busy smashing her mouth and nose up against the glass door, so I went back to my suds. <br />
<br />
Then, CRASH! BLAM! POW! SCREECH! <br />
<br />
I ran over to my screaming baby and HORROR!<br />
<br />
She was flat on her back, pinned to the floor with a toppled over chair RIGHT ON HER FACE.<br />
<br />
I couldn't believe the GUILT I felt. I moped around the house all day after it happened, replaying the events that led up to the 'incident'. Why wasn't I watching her more closely? Why did I let her play over by the table and chairs? Should I take her to the doctor? What if she's concussed and I let her go to sleep!? And on and on. I mean, really getting a little irrational, here. Then I happened to run into my neighbor just as he was getting back from the library with his two year old son.<br />
<br />
I poured it all out to him. The incident. How bad I felt. "Just look at these bruises on her face!" I lamented. He looked at me with a knowing but sympathetic smile and said the following:<br />
<br />
"Get used to it. Because it won't be the last time. Not by a long shot."<br />
<br />
And that's when I realized:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I was in for it.</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-5530173105844548422010-10-12T21:55:00.000-07:002010-10-12T21:55:13.266-07:00What If This Is As Gross As It Gets?The scene was a familiar one.<br />
<br />
I was at the kitchen sink doing the dishes. Lydia was on the floor behind me playing with measuring cups, spoons, spatulas and the potato masher. She was babbling away with her usual, questionlike, "Ah? Ah? Ah?" Then she started crawling away. I thought she was going down the hall, which is what she usually does, so I didn't turn around. <br />
<br />
A few moments passed.<br />
<br />
Then I heard the familiar clink clinking of Cookie's food and water bowls. It didn't register for awhile that maybe <span style="font-size: x-large;">JUST MAYBE</span> it wasn't the dog making those dishes clink together. But when it did, it <span style="font-size: x-large;">SURE DID</span>, <em>yaknowwhati'msayin?</em><br />
<br />
I rounded the corner just in time to see my precious baby girl take a handful of dog food and stuff it in her mouth.<br />
<br />
Then she looked at me.<br />
<br />
She was smiling, and she was very, very proud of herself.<br />
<br />
The end.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-86521789502030077302010-10-10T23:28:00.000-07:002010-10-10T23:42:10.218-07:00The Three BearsIt wasn't a big deal. <br />
<br />
Well, it shouldn't have been.<br />
<br />
I was just going around the house after putting the baby to bed last night, picking up a stuffed bunny here, wiping fingerprints off the table there, and doing a little quilting in between.<br />
<br />
Then I went to hang up Lydia's new winter coat. Her very first coat. I set it on the stairs, thinking it would go in her closet. But then I thought better of it. It was a coat, after all, even if it was just itty bitty.<br />
<br />
To the coat closet it would go, with all the other coats.<br />
<br />
I opened the closet and hung the little coat. I went to shut the door and go on to my next task, but I looked up just in time to see a beautiful sight, one that, as I said before, shouldn't have been a big deal.<br />
<br />
But it brought tears to my eyes, I tell you.<br />
<br />
There before me was a daddy coat, a mommy coat, and a baby coat.<br />
<br />
Suddenly that old coat closet was no longer the place where I hastily threw my bags, scarfs, and hats, where Brian's dusty binoculars hung from a peg, and where my bent umbrella quietly stood at the ready. I saw it as a symbol. I wondered how many more itty bitty coats I will be able to hang in our closet over the years. I wondered how many would be girly, and how many would be blue.<br />
<br />
I wondered how it would feel to watch the coats get bigger and bigger until they disappeared altogether.<br />
<br />
But for now, there are the three. A daddy coat, a mommy coat, and a baby coat.<br />
<br />
And they are all just right.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-57203617607608483892010-09-27T19:53:00.000-07:002010-09-27T19:55:35.424-07:00Sometimes I Get A Great Notion...<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/JSWY" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZsLKgLFg9EU/TKEUurJDdUI/AAAAAAAABck/CQGUdMab2wo/s512/Lydia%27s%20First%208%20Months.jpg" /></a><br />
Here is a photo montage I made for Lydia's 8 month birthday today. Click anywhere on the image to play the movie.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy it.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-41669454960769522162010-09-24T22:30:00.000-07:002010-09-24T22:30:55.528-07:00Gushing ForthI am always annoyed by women who blog about how wonderful and amazing their husbands are.<br />
<br />
I don't finish reading those posts usually.<br />
<br />
And I never comment on them. <br />
<br />
But I, my friend, am also a hypocrite. A hypocrite with a story.<br />
<br />
Last night I ate something gnarly. Okay, it was several crackers that, unbeknownst to me, had expired December 10th of 2009. I don't check the expiration date on things like crackers because I usually eat them before they go bad. <br />
<br />
Anyway, there was some definite funk going on with these crackers. Shortly after eating a few, I stood up to get a drink. My back itched, so I scratched it. Then my neck itched, so I scratched that. Then my whole body was engulfed in one. big. itch. My ears began to swell, my throat felt thick and weird, and there were hives. Oh, were there hives!<br />
<br />
After the initial shock wore off and I realized that I was not in fact dying, Brian and I retired for the evening. <br />
<br />
The baby woke up to eat at about 1:45 and I came back to bed around two, but not before going into the bathroom and giving myself a look over. Now my lips were swollen, the hives had connected themselves to one another and were now just one giant raised and angry red rash over my entire torso, but oddly enough, the itch was going away. When I got in bed Brian popped up off his pillow like a jack-in-the-box.<br />
<br />
I thought he was asleep.<br />
<br />
It scared me a little.<br />
<br />
"Are you okay?" he asked. <br />
<br />
"Yes, I think I'm fine."<br />
<br />
"I'm going to go out and buy you some Benadryl. I can tell you need some." <br />
<br />
"No. It's 2 am." <br />
<br />
"I'm going." (Throwing the covers back and getting out of bed.) "Safeway's open all night, right?"<br />
<br />
And that's the guy I'm married too. And I don't think I need to say any more about that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhGws2dkZQf8rU8eWkvo17f_gLf-LLK86YpOSXK0bjLRCd7teVYmk_twHBKeBo6fJ6eIo7r75IQX6Q0kLzJeZj03nwVI6vFKZqwsGmxEbZiFxhUElBhyphenhyphenS6KG4uNt9v0G8QC9cYGCeaXFfs/s1600/IMG_4160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGws2dkZQf8rU8eWkvo17f_gLf-LLK86YpOSXK0bjLRCd7teVYmk_twHBKeBo6fJ6eIo7r75IQX6Q0kLzJeZj03nwVI6vFKZqwsGmxEbZiFxhUElBhyphenhyphenS6KG4uNt9v0G8QC9cYGCeaXFfs/s400/IMG_4160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">P.S. Don't eat crackers with funk on them.</div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-11383006141263139242010-09-23T14:54:00.000-07:002010-09-23T14:54:43.783-07:00More Happiness? Why Yes, I'll Take SomeI want to explore my thoughts on a certain couple of words that I read last night, and figured my blog was as good a place as any to do it.<br />
<br />
The words were some that I've heard countless times before, but last night the words got me thinking.<br />
<br />
The words were "Let your hearts rejoice."<br />
<br />
Before I always thought this just meant I should 'be happy'. But now I think it goes much deeper than that. That word 'let' is what gets me. It implies that my heart <em>wants</em> to rejoice, that it is my heart's <em>inherent nature</em> to rejoice, and that it <em>would</em> rejoice, if only<em> I</em> would let it. <br />
<br />
This also implies that my own rejoicing, my own heartfelt happiness, is my responsibility, not that of anyone else's. <br />
<br />
This is easy to say, but difficult to exercise. Like faith. Ugh! So hard!<br />
<br />
So how then? How do I/we/you let my/our/your heart(s) rejoice?<br />
<br />
Like a kid begging for candy, my heart is begging for happiness.<br />
<br />
Isn't yours? <br />
<br />
<br />
------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<em>Disclaimer: I am fascinated by the challenge that this verse of scripture presents and, like any other human, am constantly seeking ways to improve myself. This post is in no way meant to present myself as a person in the midst of a crisis, because, thank Heaven, I am not. However, this post IS meant to (hopefully) stimulate a conversation and a thought process in us all that will lead to (yes!) MORE happiness. </em>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-72755895180753933002010-08-17T21:52:00.000-07:002010-08-17T22:34:38.336-07:00Q & AThere's this part in Zoolander where he asks, "Who am I?" while gazing into the gutter. His reflection looks back and replies, "I don't know."<br /><br />I've been feeling a little Zoolander-ish lately.<br /><br />Let me tell you why.<br /><br />Today I drug my child to seven different grocery stores looking for Non Ultra Dawn Original Scent.<br /><br />And why did I do that?<br /><br />Because I'm using it to blow The Biggest Bubble Known to Man. We're talking a<br />small-child- swallowing, has-it's-own-weather-system, could-carry-away-a-Shih Tzu sized bubble. And Non Ultra Dawn Original Scent is a must-have ingredient in the Biggest Bubble Known to Man Recipe.<br /><br />What am I blowing this bubble for?<br /><br />(wait for it)<br /><br />Play. Group. Yeah, that sort-of mommy sorority that I swore I would take no part in. But when I was asked to join, my pride got puffed up, I went all Greek on myself, and suddenly, play group was cool.<br /><br />Another ingredient in The Biggest Bubble Known to Man recipe?<br /><br />Astroglide.<br /><br />Please don't tell the other moms. They might kick me out.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-87439027848678205892010-07-16T21:04:00.000-07:002010-07-16T22:19:20.873-07:00The Bee's KneesLet's start here.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSwDMVpF5VEbRK11ewk7Rp0I1TbAeSh3jf5xiVAxNCk5EAO8QvGyg7XoWYB9AgkO73jl4sGsOK0NlV8hHKauFkH2x646pcCyDcFnF3aWe-RRGmjuA_G74gMBotN5_7t0Otfhr9QVVbE4/s1600/IMG_3826.JPG"></a></div><div><br /><div>This is a picture of my kid's knees.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494724592427037650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBXwMujqk78trkq7BuGHCU-909AABHljWam5qUn1l4HKbAmxI9Q6UeMXLobV2YicAQIY6cMv8-p5cC5366U4EP4U5Lp2zN1co_kYyoyiJa42a9rCvZNS0F4qci9sJ2w7ffPnsjbszhi4/s400/IMG_3944.JPG" /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaN7W-62DmpHJ0sTj2FiEw9XhpDmVXxRoUs23VVAs6pU7kpxMCVs63gSoSrEx3p3CeLfcVh8iWtwrmJ1DeoZJwZ97Zm4Qst-dvdNLn3QjX7qnVyyNhjLjBKI3D7hfu9tTrktYAa7FMKg/s1600/IMG_3782.JPG"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEJf-FF3eriNaIBbR66azFtVS2Ywg0ktkqq6QBQ6v1cAz4DUoFncJij4-lZsAMjWKHmFzeS2NCrMikfl5bwFJi0TeJLGZyh6X2wnCRxXq1YZXmdDgDpBI4BLKwUQWX8CRNvmTpVI4Fg8/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG"></a></div><div>Ahem. </div><div></div><div>Moving right along.<br /><br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I was in Utah for...like...ever. Before we left for Utah I thought, I don't have anything to hurry back for, and Brian is all busy-like in the bishopric now, so heck sakes, says I, why don't I just stay an extra week?</div><br /><br /><div>And then I got there, and I was having so much fun on this hike with my parents,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QLKbWMTHwbL8MIeK041x1yVzHiQFIzzx9JA5q3RlFWfSFpcHYwJmOXQ_edBU9pFhh7giz9kaL7UgZw8KDn7dgBnksMicWMpXGg47hjT0-OfFcQ2sUzoMP32xS4LLMJwF4UhawkckbX8/s1600/IMG_3798.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494729400253876642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QLKbWMTHwbL8MIeK041x1yVzHiQFIzzx9JA5q3RlFWfSFpcHYwJmOXQ_edBU9pFhh7giz9kaL7UgZw8KDn7dgBnksMicWMpXGg47hjT0-OfFcQ2sUzoMP32xS4LLMJwF4UhawkckbX8/s320/IMG_3798.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf56B6LmuUtm3TDb7jiqZIw00-vMWXx5yqkeEqdFgqF8a_UBlrP2Rzfp34ZDZ0FzWOKse0vg0TPW4p104K_U0d2v7wc4DEBxr22zXByd0COwMZvhubVKd6wEREIU5DQzrdkbQlI8-WME/s1600/Copy+(1)+of+IMG_3813.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494733717319565474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf56B6LmuUtm3TDb7jiqZIw00-vMWXx5yqkeEqdFgqF8a_UBlrP2Rzfp34ZDZ0FzWOKse0vg0TPW4p104K_U0d2v7wc4DEBxr22zXByd0COwMZvhubVKd6wEREIU5DQzrdkbQlI8-WME/s320/Copy+(1)+of+IMG_3813.JPG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARv3shdlt6zVHRVwfrRTP3NLBQ2cMNXeOT_3pLK1Im5VMpuAKQgFX_HXCooPm8GTqWUgRUZ-L4ViEPgSOapgsFyeUquSNua44PiMraJgFyenfUHfbGgMjzNV4XmzWY_PYPvpfnG7CZoU/s1600/IMG_3804.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494729404918289698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARv3shdlt6zVHRVwfrRTP3NLBQ2cMNXeOT_3pLK1Im5VMpuAKQgFX_HXCooPm8GTqWUgRUZ-L4ViEPgSOapgsFyeUquSNua44PiMraJgFyenfUHfbGgMjzNV4XmzWY_PYPvpfnG7CZoU/s320/IMG_3804.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Gv51r6vfU5kSRICVSjCtK4zlwCOZ5Mgyv48h-SUA1IWkxUHjpsNqlicB6D_NT80bPMnjJbG2wWFpWrI3L8Mmh8_L_qZqFVMBmOhLsmfSndI1eDFNB49oON5ijRkAqpMBg5RvN4MYYxg/s1600/IMG_3812.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494729417026213138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Gv51r6vfU5kSRICVSjCtK4zlwCOZ5Mgyv48h-SUA1IWkxUHjpsNqlicB6D_NT80bPMnjJbG2wWFpWrI3L8Mmh8_L_qZqFVMBmOhLsmfSndI1eDFNB49oON5ijRkAqpMBg5RvN4MYYxg/s320/IMG_3812.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>that as I walked along and gazed at those mountains of home, I said, "Fetch yo's. I'm stayin' an extra, <em>extra</em> week!" </div><br /><br /><div>And there was much rejoicing in the land. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAzH7RlhAqbiggfuLyZ28-ghq4n8VxXszHe-eIDz9xxrWRwonbQrOJx5XxIWc-bVHaX-OgO79Hjq8BRfOjWHgO8o_7UmDCv8vdQMXrK567INCIbbCL69t5WjfVeyOLmrtHZ7CFllhH9U/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG"></a></div><div>Well, by me, at least.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSwDMVpF5VEbRK11ewk7Rp0I1TbAeSh3jf5xiVAxNCk5EAO8QvGyg7XoWYB9AgkO73jl4sGsOK0NlV8hHKauFkH2x646pcCyDcFnF3aWe-RRGmjuA_G74gMBotN5_7t0Otfhr9QVVbE4/s1600/IMG_3826.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494734500109888498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSwDMVpF5VEbRK11ewk7Rp0I1TbAeSh3jf5xiVAxNCk5EAO8QvGyg7XoWYB9AgkO73jl4sGsOK0NlV8hHKauFkH2x646pcCyDcFnF3aWe-RRGmjuA_G74gMBotN5_7t0Otfhr9QVVbE4/s200/IMG_3826.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEJf-FF3eriNaIBbR66azFtVS2Ywg0ktkqq6QBQ6v1cAz4DUoFncJij4-lZsAMjWKHmFzeS2NCrMikfl5bwFJi0TeJLGZyh6X2wnCRxXq1YZXmdDgDpBI4BLKwUQWX8CRNvmTpVI4Fg8/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494734493807008290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEJf-FF3eriNaIBbR66azFtVS2Ywg0ktkqq6QBQ6v1cAz4DUoFncJij4-lZsAMjWKHmFzeS2NCrMikfl5bwFJi0TeJLGZyh6X2wnCRxXq1YZXmdDgDpBI4BLKwUQWX8CRNvmTpVI4Fg8/s200/IMG_3788.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6HduUOLU37UPkT_TgRSXc-RPjCZCANcY7D2Gq0TZAZtK13xlQvxI1cprD1j_JomHRfDibebCoc3KhHWmjCSEqTULLt-HudFd8Nr_woABUnQuHogkHXgw8aEKdmPSt_E54tPpk7diRK8/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494734504378952114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6HduUOLU37UPkT_TgRSXc-RPjCZCANcY7D2Gq0TZAZtK13xlQvxI1cprD1j_JomHRfDibebCoc3KhHWmjCSEqTULLt-HudFd8Nr_woABUnQuHogkHXgw8aEKdmPSt_E54tPpk7diRK8/s200/IMG_3827.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaN7W-62DmpHJ0sTj2FiEw9XhpDmVXxRoUs23VVAs6pU7kpxMCVs63gSoSrEx3p3CeLfcVh8iWtwrmJ1DeoZJwZ97Zm4Qst-dvdNLn3QjX7qnVyyNhjLjBKI3D7hfu9tTrktYAa7FMKg/s1600/IMG_3782.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494734475831480306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaN7W-62DmpHJ0sTj2FiEw9XhpDmVXxRoUs23VVAs6pU7kpxMCVs63gSoSrEx3p3CeLfcVh8iWtwrmJ1DeoZJwZ97Zm4Qst-dvdNLn3QjX7qnVyyNhjLjBKI3D7hfu9tTrktYAa7FMKg/s200/IMG_3782.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8hoVAy_Nud-F5yTB_qV1KItN3ojeg6US3qiHBb6mELzFXcKazpMlBI0V95-5w5VlCscKudOo8c3s9a3qjwTQJaWW3_gjZuG7okzFkCZ4Neh-2hU6Qx13_w3y3MO19r3HeZXZNYR7TXE/s1600/IMG_3856.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494735434458777010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8hoVAy_Nud-F5yTB_qV1KItN3ojeg6US3qiHBb6mELzFXcKazpMlBI0V95-5w5VlCscKudOo8c3s9a3qjwTQJaWW3_gjZuG7okzFkCZ4Neh-2hU6Qx13_w3y3MO19r3HeZXZNYR7TXE/s200/IMG_3856.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_88ZQbvhYrH0kD0PTPaT0gLY9l1Y5Up37awTa77VKQJ5og4rEj-iiX1IityeGYVj9kc_TW8sw0C8AR8cf8VSKx0gwo75aOJyG_VhX-eXJTn4Q0WlenZtuHWgQOXW3HU9D0Wbf9dp-Xo/s1600/IMG_3862.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494735440174085042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_88ZQbvhYrH0kD0PTPaT0gLY9l1Y5Up37awTa77VKQJ5og4rEj-iiX1IityeGYVj9kc_TW8sw0C8AR8cf8VSKx0gwo75aOJyG_VhX-eXJTn4Q0WlenZtuHWgQOXW3HU9D0Wbf9dp-Xo/s200/IMG_3862.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1l4A2PF9oS9XLheDsa5OP7M5k2j47OoC7Xbzcxqi6UuY72Zu7oqOrXkPljK5NmnJJSIiz-qTS9PL_jS0uNQM19oofhTkqQMW_Sqx-Y9_p3RU9ktYIljBhzHyJBSbasdR6NxLkGOZIo8/s1600/IMG_3885.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494735446582937298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1l4A2PF9oS9XLheDsa5OP7M5k2j47OoC7Xbzcxqi6UuY72Zu7oqOrXkPljK5NmnJJSIiz-qTS9PL_jS0uNQM19oofhTkqQMW_Sqx-Y9_p3RU9ktYIljBhzHyJBSbasdR6NxLkGOZIo8/s200/IMG_3885.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAzH7RlhAqbiggfuLyZ28-ghq4n8VxXszHe-eIDz9xxrWRwonbQrOJx5XxIWc-bVHaX-OgO79Hjq8BRfOjWHgO8o_7UmDCv8vdQMXrK567INCIbbCL69t5WjfVeyOLmrtHZ7CFllhH9U/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494735003902265026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAzH7RlhAqbiggfuLyZ28-ghq4n8VxXszHe-eIDz9xxrWRwonbQrOJx5XxIWc-bVHaX-OgO79Hjq8BRfOjWHgO8o_7UmDCv8vdQMXrK567INCIbbCL69t5WjfVeyOLmrtHZ7CFllhH9U/s200/IMG_3831.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8XU59CYUdgoOn_vx7YmzL4yc46CiF10LT08PFGmY_B_UoVnqemKuCn5dhtxyg7pSv5UtLEimLEIk_AnGmRsQFIK1WoHXPIwbN-1Xlpt3Hi5YCTtdd7u-BSmvwq387Ott6OX9LpLtGek/s1600/IMG_3867.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494735011278787538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8XU59CYUdgoOn_vx7YmzL4yc46CiF10LT08PFGmY_B_UoVnqemKuCn5dhtxyg7pSv5UtLEimLEIk_AnGmRsQFIK1WoHXPIwbN-1Xlpt3Hi5YCTtdd7u-BSmvwq387Ott6OX9LpLtGek/s200/IMG_3867.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo7Q6ll2cwaDPkpADu9-IiBoPM65Osd61181I5rLVUgyV4Yw144D-QHRMSUg0Yqzmezg3kLGDhp_ipQrN5P1obXyGutdjlCusv0eDh1wPhCf2Av7k32IJmER4qBjqGMXVs19k1oNLCvg/s1600/IMG_3869.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494735030929570978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo7Q6ll2cwaDPkpADu9-IiBoPM65Osd61181I5rLVUgyV4Yw144D-QHRMSUg0Yqzmezg3kLGDhp_ipQrN5P1obXyGutdjlCusv0eDh1wPhCf2Av7k32IJmER4qBjqGMXVs19k1oNLCvg/s200/IMG_3869.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Lydia and I flew home a week or so ago. Here we are at the airport even.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494727708068305538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZygeMNicHpjo2798oSyekrqBBCFGBeMPTlamGqIxGaPepsvZny5R9mcIgQB3CPuDU-5IuINGRxc6QLJec69pIayDJKGei-mnaa4NV-xaVy5nKObri1xiq_T62MMScqJv3kaxaoGu4Z74/s400/IMG_3898.JPG" /><br /><br /></div><div>But I'm still catching up from all the trippin' I did on my trip.</div><br /><div>So here's another picture of my kid's knees. With her face attached. That's pretty much all there is these days. Knees and a fat, grinning, giggling, face.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494724600873186354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnIu3UkK1lAHyv76QQidc-GRcosvebum1V9mh1vsBOF7a1gmUvvMIhF9AC0OLirGyaWrvkFAm17N1n9ByvwKTVJTL7EBm2X9npKKHZAmMpDJhMYYxNFe-xGyu8IKu5q1T_OqFvRro8qY/s400/IMG_3939.JPG" /></div><div>And whoa, Nelly, do I love those knees and that face. A bushel and a peck and a barrel and a heap.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-54102372846183612582010-06-09T19:39:00.000-07:002010-06-09T20:06:10.852-07:00Saturday Is a Special Day<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Last Saturday there was a break in the monotonous rain. Oregonians know that if the sun is out, you'd better get your little behind out, too, because it might not last long and it might not come again for days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">So, we loaded up the truck, the frisbee golf discs, the dog, grabbed some sandwiches, and headed to the park.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Only to find this:</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480973481137691906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45FV2U8_5jhYWAzAdB8exC9KtEUUAKinQZwfe8p2o4HDGbrYvMv6O-m6f1eGli2dhNYMlUOUw2M5eJGSM0Zcc_WNEfOflDAHiEEbu5dRyTTMaWrEIuE5Kl7YTPkIgbtBpPWvpopXGBos/s400/bryant+park.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yeah. It was flooded. The picnic tables were bobbing around like corks and the frisbee golf cages were just poking out above the surface. That photo is of one of the shelters (courtesy of the Democrat Herald).</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">So we headed to another park, where things looked a little less wet. We got set up on our quilt and </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">we played,<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480973442046336626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAK_aazQMXArA4m20UJtvyj51vX2Z89D0aIPm9fiKRgwNYHiCcPA7lY-3UNE_o5SMnQhI2RLWuvd9mCicJgXSlJqGs8B6cSlL0JF8TV7nP_AXowrffZ0fCLJ1WTaSIYWO-JvZBa8KwTI/s400/IMG_3740.JPG" /><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">we ate our sandwiches very dramatically while wearing our lucky tshirt from junior high,<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480973455461608818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0Cp1RAywe0Bf-5ZulrkrTvLAqdIvAuZz2mos8G28rek3KbZq7pcdgO2uivezZcIjjjbYSEslHwsYdDFd1t_7EZno_TxETk6Z1jsobnhtomla3aFTkMjUryS3xaxrdc2Yf0BAuofsI8c/s400/IMG_3741.JPG" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Cookie dined on fresh greens,<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480973464042591746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3eLyzTbPc7Hi-xkk-i3nEs6TPv29KxBg5sc93DHosgJcV71yv2RCYejZI6mRLvhJVzhGNHz3U0bWAb1Ru9zoeYR8s7JJqwIaZu41LgpEmiDUvosbMjtyyo8NHgPR3LP4FLcr_tMg3M4/s400/IMG_3742.JPG" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">and then Brian went off to throw a couple of shots, only to return moments later to inform me that the frisbee golf course was flooded, too.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh, Oregon!<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But we still had fun...</span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480973473113698610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM8ILp2YqZA2S6J2x8sBkOerI8SHIFMwDoyIAsM9zqFnXp4z5TP10rzrKMWgLij0yD6XSn2dxPjeD00LEepWlciNy6Oth3LzMzPsmAyfKi8DpTbZO8TDDIvGS9sRQRLmEbjvjQU5hL7E/s400/IMG_3747.JPG" /></span></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-60720683251971121572010-06-07T21:44:00.000-07:002010-06-07T21:57:23.754-07:00The Chick's Got Self Esteem<p>I think that if we could all follow Lydia's example, and give ourselves a huge grin or even laugh whenever we saw ourselves in the mirror, this world would be a better place. </p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw1gDisFjAhGDlwYVNEdhXBsBv-xPX9RneGOjk4dOnRbgYKlbPX1IFnDpd1UzRiBXL6oGOlzKdCNZDnL7-V' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Don't you?</p><p> </p><p>Also, fatter thighs. </p><p> </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-13436734480139544842010-06-04T13:15:00.000-07:002010-06-04T14:57:42.456-07:00I Know This Much Is True<div>that Calmoseptine is the best diaper rash ointment available,<br /><br />that the sound of a binky with a little bit of water in it is on a level of adorableness on par with baby kittens,<br /><br /><br />that labor kicked my trash,<br /><br /><br />that when I was pregnant, I was a little bit crazy, but didn't know it,<br /><br /><br />that I've got a snuggle bug on my hands,<br /><br /><br />that I've got a finicky eater on my hands,</div><br /><div><br /></div><div>that good pediatricians don't grow on trees,</div><br /><div><br />that I had a bout of baby blues, but didn't know it till it was over,<br /><br /><br />that Lydia is a hat hater, even if this picture might tell you otherwise,</div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479019058837707250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep9ZaEwnt-csqtob564CI6V3boKkKkAdcUcvBdD_3uQH72i32U6razO7ZTlhnBgHetEJW5-ng7T323ssyIuBKLwfNpdS9RMD3PKQ3AiPfK3YkkXd1uXJo5hggrmbglzRMuyeaHNtFM-Q/s400/2010-06-04+12.16.37.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />that the scriptures take on a new meaning when you become a mother,<br /><br /><br />that you come to understand every facet of the word 'tender' when you become a mother,<br /><br /><br />that it's vital to swallow your pride and ask for help,<br /><br /><br />that "The Happiest Baby On The Block" was the best baby book I read, hands down,<br /><br /><br />that the love of God is, truly, man's greatest joy, and that it is evident in the face of a child,</p><br /><p>that simple toys make the best toys, <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479040741141341714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_7GO5oO-w0SBVhlea-oBz_tOxOAIC7G85gn6rA2KcYFASiBxcWRe-tl87XfZbd_OjltjEKaoUgw1MI8oWWdusvkOXUMifymrDTqIoSBJ1ZkkfaYuUk17nJWcVJgnuwW9UVIKskivO-U/s400/IMG_3733.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />that if it weren't for Kim, my mom, and Brian's mom, I might have jumped off a bridge during the first weeks of motherhood,<br /><br /><br />that I can't stand boogers in my kid's nose, and must dispatch them on site,<br /><br /><br />that Lydia is at her very cutest after her bath,<br /><br /><br />that Old Navy socks are the only socks that will stay on her feet,<br /><br /><br />that 'Tummy Time' totally blows,<br /><br /><br />that the baby monitor makes me a little jumpy,<br /><br /><br />that if I didn't know I married the right dude before, I certainly know it now,<br /><br />that the dog loves the baby, and the baby loves the dog,<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479020304591134530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU88lM0Hi9b9vdohjKs5FbTPwIDHVW9LC76cjaglpx-hTa9kiV_WN7rX0Da8gEvpR90jZntRyavJZA9Syiprspe5noBWBBtPAjM9ZztEAv6tvmWeM605slYrEqTqFqRRal08SHJEEF2Q/s400/IMG_3736.JPG" /><br />and that alien green poop comes and goes as it pleases. </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1794353662419036774.post-77321012811889907592010-06-02T21:07:00.000-07:002010-06-02T21:56:57.735-07:00"In Two Weeks, You Would Have A Diamond"I'll be the first to admit that as a new parent, I've been a little uptight about things.<br /><div><div></div><div><br />For instance, when Lydia was first born, I kept a log of her feedings, documenting exactly what time she began eating, on what side she was nursing from, and for how long. I also documented the size and color of every dirty or wet diaper.</div><div></div><div><br />This went on for about a week, until I said to my mom, "I think we're a little over the top with the list thing." She looked at me, her exasperation thinly veiled, and blurted, "Ya think?!"</div><div><br />Another example: Since before Lydia came home from the hospital, there has been a sign by our doorbell asking visitors to "Please knock, baby sleeping." When the original sign got blown away, instead of just letting it go, I made a new one, bright orange this time, and made sure to add extra strips of tape to ensure its permanence. </div><div><br />For a long time, we didn't even dare flush the toilets when Lydia was sleeping. We are still terrified of getting ice out of the ice machine, running the garbage disposal, or starting a load of laundry while our angel dozes. If we watch TV while she's sleeping, we have it turned down so low that we have to ask each other what House just said, what Booth just whispered to Bones.</div><div></div><div><br />When we were in Utah, I so vehemently defended her sleep that I probably almost got myself booted out of my husband's family. My poor in-law's couldn't even shut a door without receiving a glare from my blood shot, sleep deprived eyes and hearing me hiss "Shhhhh!" like a dadgum snake. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>As we left her four month checkup, I was scheduling Lydia's next visit and the nurse gave me several available times. "No," I said. "None of those are good. They are exactly during her morning and afternoon naps." The nurse looked at me, incredulous. </div><br /><br /><div>"I know," I replied. "I'm the Nap Nazi." </div><div></div><div><br />And she didn't respond.</div><br /><br /><div>On Sunday I went to a friend's house to help her with a quilt she was making for her fifth baby, a boy who was born one week after Lydia. When I got there, the baby was in his swing. The other kids were in and out of the house, doors were slamming, and there was a general hubbub that you would imagine in any house with five kids. I'll be darned if I didn't look over in the middle of it all and that kid was sound asleep. No blanket. No dark, silent bedroom. </div><br /><br /><div>Sleeping. Like a baby.</div><br /><br /><div>And I thought it was super weird.</div><br /><br /><div>Why? Because I'm new at this. And I don't know what I'm doing. </div><br /><br /><div>And I am desperate to do everything "right". </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Whatever that means.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402703900389746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxxfJ_tXCXU7cgJm4Dai7Vgjc3EiC7wooVTBUlaGDxDgXJAlvqYzIP0kSg0aSbncaoX5vU9iae56i02KOZn0yaMgUMTkUDh3xJOPqDx6xqhA6NI0OkBVB5yj_N_nGf7ovW-L0SdVWfSk/s400/IMG_3727.JPG" /></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130810786403427114noreply@blogger.com8