tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490121338137702132024-03-18T22:47:18.517-04:00Polka Dot Days!LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-6483019071429541512011-05-15T11:54:00.004-04:002011-05-15T20:53:52.162-04:004 Months Later...<em>**I don't blog often. I realize it's been 4 months since my last post. I just so happended to visit my blog and read my last post. I've been so blessed in the past four months. Let's reflect...</em><br />
<br />
I want:<br />
<ul><li>to be pregnant - - <strong><span style="color: magenta;">I am. Praise God, I am! 11 weeks today.</span></strong></li>
<li>to wear cute maternity clothes <strong>- - <span style="color: magenta;">There isn't a need yet. I can still fit into my regular clothes. I will consider this a blessing for now.</span></strong></li>
<li>to go to bed each night with that slightly excited/slightly anxious "am I going to be good enough" feeling<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">Oh boy. What a feeling this is. Just the other night I woke up in a panic about driving with the baby in the car. Excited and anxious doesn't begin to describe it.</span></strong></li>
<li>to be a mommy<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">I will be...by Christmas. *tears*</span></strong></li>
<li>to look at my husband and tell him that he is going to be a daddy <strong>- - <span style="color: magenta;">That was a good day. We were cautious after the first test...and the second...but once I went to the doctor, we knew. *love*</span></strong></li>
<li>cherries...as I've wanted them all day today <strong>- - <span style="color: magenta;">no desire for cherries right now. Watermelon and oranges do the trick.</span></strong></li>
<li>to have a new hair do' (I will tomorrow, after 3pm)<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">I've had my hair done a couple times since I posted. I need to touch up my pink. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.</span></strong></li>
<li>a big juicy burger with avocado<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">Yep, still sounds delicious. Better add avocado to my grocery list.</span></strong></li>
<li>a pedicure that I don't have to drive 45 minutes to get <strong>- - <span style="color: magenta;">I just had a mani/pedi on Thursday. It was 45 minutes away from home, but only 5 minutes from work. My toes look pretty!</span></strong></li>
<li>to go back to that place where (almost one year ago) my life changed when I said "yes"<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">Aww! I love that place. I love my husband so much. We went back to our place in February and loved every minute of it. He is such a huge blessing to me.</span></strong></li>
<li>to lose these last 18lbs<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">Um...well...that didn't happen. They say I'm just going to gain weight now. Eek. That will be a struggle as I haven't seen the scales go up in over a year. I've put on 2-3 lbs already. I know that it is for a good reason...a great reason.</span></strong></li>
<li>to be warm <strong>- - <span style="color: magenta;">Warm I am! It was 80* this week. Granted, it's only 50* and rainy today, but my bed is warm and that is where I'm snuggled up at the moment. Sleeping is my new favorite thing.</span></strong></li>
<li>to hug my little niece and nephew<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">I just spent 10 days with these precious two. My heart was so full. I miss them and love them so much.</span></strong></li>
<li>to high five an old friend<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">I never did high five <em>that</em> old friend, but I have hugged and laughed and cried with some greater old friends.</span></strong></li>
<li>my step-daughter to celebrate "20" tomorrow and know just how loved she really is <strong>- - <span style="color: magenta;">I surely hope that this is the case.</span></strong></li>
<li>my sister to have a peaceful heart and as much excitement as I did when I had a few months to go <strong>- - <span style="color: magenta;">My beautiful sister said "I do" 15 days ago. *love*</span></strong></li>
<li>my momma and daddy to have peaceful hearts knowing that their daughters are full of love and they done good <strong>- - <span style="color: magenta;">I hope they never forget this. Ever.</span></strong></li>
<li>my husband to feel like the man that he is - amazing<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">I will always want this. I will always want him to know how much I love him, cherish him, and appreciate him.</span></strong></li>
<li>to be hugged by Jesus<strong> - - <span style="color: magenta;">One day. One day.</span></strong></li>
</ul><br />
<div></div>LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-47184306360312672082011-01-14T19:05:00.000-05:002011-01-14T19:05:40.305-05:00I WantI want:<br />
<ul><li>to be pregnant</li>
<li>to wear cute maternity clothes</li>
<li>to go to bed each night with that slightly excited/slightly anxious "am I going to be a good enough" feeling</li>
<li>to be a mommy</li>
<li>to look at my husband and tell him that he is going to be a daddy </li>
<li>cherries...as I've wanted them all day today</li>
<li>to have a new hair do' (I will tomorrow, after 3pm)</li>
<li>a big juicy burger with avocado</li>
<li>a pedicure that I don't have to drive 45 minutes to get</li>
<li>to go back to that place where (almost one year ago) my life changed when I said "yes"</li>
<li>to lose these last 18lbs</li>
<li>to be warm</li>
<li>to hug my little niece and nephew</li>
<li>to high five an old friend</li>
<li>my step-daughter to celebrate "20" tomorrow and know just how loved she really is</li>
<li>my sister to have a peaceful heart and as much excitement as I did when I had a few months to go</li>
<li>my momma and daddy to have peaceful hearts knowing that their daughters are full of love and they done good</li>
<li>my husband to feel like the man that he is - amazing</li>
<li>to be hugged by Jesus</li>
</ul>LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-77461573772752498872010-11-15T16:05:00.000-05:002010-11-15T16:05:41.921-05:00I've been so busy......Being IN LOVE! I'm married now, y'all! I documented my Engagement weekend quite a few posts down and then I went scarce between then and now. In those busy months of picking out flowers and deciphering the true difference in shades of pink, I tried to capture it all here on my "<a href="http://thebigday2010-jfl.blogspot.com/">countdown to the big day</a>" blog. Since we've been home, I've been in holiday mode - full speed. With a gift making business, this is understandably such a busy time for me. Between the pottery studio and Little Painted Polka Dots, I will be going non-stop until January. <br />
<br />
Even in the midst of the busiest days...when my feet hurt, my eyes are strained, my fingertips are cut and/or covered in paint, I know that I'm blessed beyond belief. I serve the most amazing God and I realize it more and more everyday. I am so in love with my husband and surrounded by big, BIG love from family and friends. I'm thankful for each new day and I encourage you to find the good...even on the gloomy days.LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-34949216140431545112010-06-04T12:29:00.002-04:002010-06-26T20:28:56.682-04:00Crappy Bloggers Unite!I am a crappy blogger. Have you noticed? I come and go as I please. I post what I want, what interests me, what I feel like sharing. Somedays I want to blog and I roll through numerous blog posts in my head and rarely find the time to actually write them down. I also find myself wishing that there was an app for life - a SNAPSHOT app! <br />
<br />
Have you ever been in the midst of something, camera-less, and just wished you could speak the words to have a photo taken? I sure do. Like the other day when I was mixing the new vat of blue glaze at the studio...oh what a sight! I had my jean capris rolled a bit higher. My pink toenails against my tan feet and sparkly brown flip-flops. Jiffy mixer in hand and I was attacking that glaze. Well...it attacked back. In a <s>flash</s> splash, I was covered with blue. Slippery, wet, blue. There was a monster of a puddle at my feet and the coolest, abstract splash marks up my legs and even grazing the cuffs of those jean capris. It was funny to me. I didn't see a mess. I saw art. I'm a little twisted like that. I could have cursed and threw my hands up, but instead I wish I would have been able to use my snapshot app to capture this mess...this silly, messy, beautiful blue mess.<br />
<br />
Do you ever have moments like that? Moments beyond the usual "I forgot my camera" moments.LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-50821795446034244442010-04-03T16:22:00.001-04:002010-04-03T16:22:15.856-04:00Free Stuff AND A Great BlogWhat could be better, folks? You get a great new blog to stalk AND she is always giving away free stuff. I love this girl and I love her blog. I know ya'll will do.<br />
<br />
So what if she is giving away a gift certificate to my store. I'm not biased! Lol! Check it out...you'll be happy you did.<br />
<br />
http://www.thetuckerstaketennessee.com/2010/04/200-followers-giveaway.htmlLittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-63988512965750927772010-03-29T19:30:00.000-04:002010-03-29T19:30:55.404-04:00Every Monday Matters - Wk 6GET RID OF JUNK MAIL!<br />
<br />
That is the "action" for this week. I am going to link you directly to the site because there are some great links to follow from there to take action. Before I do that though...some interesting facts...<br />
**Junk-mail deliveries surpass the U.S. Postal Service 1st class mail—over 100 billion pieces of junk mail are sent annually. <br />
**Even though 44% of all junk mail is discarded without being opened, people will still spend 8 months of their lives opening junk mail. <br />
**Only 2% of junk mail gets a response. <br />
<br />
**Over $350 million taxpayer dollars are spent annually to dispose of junk mail that does not get recycled. <br />
<br />
**100 million trees are needed to produce the annual supply of bulk mail—that’s the equivalent of deforesting the entire Rocky Mountain National Park every four months. <br />
<br />
**5.8 million tons of catalogs and other direct-mail advertisements end up in landfills annually. <br />
<br />
**The average person receives only 1.5 personal letters each week, compared to 10.8 pieces of junk mail—over 500 pieces of junk mail per person per year.<br />
<br />
**Paper is predicted to take up 48% of our landfills by 2010. <br />
Read more about how junk mail affects our lives: http://everymondaymatters.com/6/LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-51139251903071951482010-03-22T21:01:00.000-04:002010-03-22T21:01:22.078-04:00Every Monday Matters - Wk 5Week 5 - EAT HEALTHY!<br />
<br />
Read all about it here: <a href="http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4897">http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4897</a><br />
<br />
What are you going to do to live a healthier life? <br />
<br />
For myself, this is something I have been working on for what seems like my entire 29 years on earth. I am the one who does the grocery shopping and also the one who does the majority of the cooking. Therefore, I need to vow to prepare only healthy meals. There are many delicious and healthy meals out there and I will make it my goal to prepare them.LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-54093965212978221732010-03-15T09:18:00.000-04:002010-03-15T09:18:54.830-04:00Every Monday Matters - Wk4<strong>Prepare for an emergency!</strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>FACTS</strong></span><br />
* On average, 1,300 tornadoes are reported annually in the U.S.<br />
* The average twister path is 660 feet wide and can be as long as 50 miles. <br />
* 40 states are considered at risk of an earthquake. <br />
* More deaths occur due to extreme heat and cold than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined. <br />
* Because of contamination, clean water is harder to find than food after a flood. <br />
* A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when the speed of its winds reaches 74 mph. <br />
* 91% of people surveyed agree that it is important to be prepared for emergencies, but only 55% said that they had taken any steps to prepare. <br />
* September 11, 2001 will always remind us of the reality of terrorist attacks and the damage they can cause. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">TAKE ACTION TODAY</span></strong><br />
* Develop a family communication plan by selecting a person outside your local area for everyone to call in case of an emergency. Carry it in your wallet. <br />
* Ensure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card for calling the emergency contact. Cell phones often get jammed due to high call volume during disasters. <br />
* Designate a primary and secondary meeting location. <br />
* Create an emergency supply kit with a 3-day supply of basic items such as: fresh water, food, first aid, towelettes, garbage bags, a flashlight with extra batteries, local maps, a whistle, dust masks, tools, a can opener, and cash. Check and rotate supplies every 6 months. <br />
* Prepare a plan for your pets during an emergency. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">YOU MATTER</span></strong><br />
Disasters are never planned, but they will happen. They are inevitable. Being prepared is the only thing you can do. Having proper supplies and a well thought-out plan can make all the difference in your survival. Readiness will also reduce fear, anxiety, and potential losses. Prepare today … for any kind of tomorrow.LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-34115335914430473772010-03-08T10:26:00.001-05:002010-03-08T10:31:06.999-05:00Every Monday Matters - Wk 3<span style="font-size: large;">Monday #3 Challenge</span><br />
(Facts and text taken from the book)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">FACTS</span><br />
<ul><li>AMBER stands for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response” and was created as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and then brutally murdered. </li>
<li> 76% of abducted children who are murdered are dead within 3 hours of the abduction, 88.5% are dead within 24 hours, and 99% are dead within 7 days. </li>
<li>443 children have been reunited with their families because of AMBER Alerts. </li>
<li>Nearly 100% of cell phones are eligible to receive Wireless AMBER Alerts as text messages. </li>
<li>100% of computers can have the AMBER Alert ticker downloaded onto them. </li>
<li>AMBER Alerts are active in all 50 states. </li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;">TAKE ACTION TODAY</span><br />
<ul><li>Pay attention to AMBER Alert signs on the freeway or on TV. </li>
<li>Sign-up to receive AMBER Alert text messaging on your cell phone. </li>
<li>Download the AMBER Alert Ticker onto your computer. </li>
<li>If you see or receive an AMBER Alert, don’t take it lightly. The perpetrator might be closer than you think. </li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;">YOU MATTER</span><br />
Protecting children from abduction and locating those who have been abducted is the twofold purpose of AMBER Alerts. They increase the number of people who can help locate an abducted child or deter predators, and they have caused perpetrators to release the abducted child after hearing or seeing the AMBER Alert. Remember, those first three hours are everything to that child and his or her family. Your eyes and action could mean the difference between a life lost and a life saved.<br />
<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
It's a heartbreaking reality. Children go missing. Bad people are out there. Watch your children. Please. I've added the ticker to my blog, and like the EMM book said, it only took a minute to do. I encourage you to do the same.<br />
<br />
<div></div>LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-70327181355218861532010-03-01T23:28:00.000-05:002010-03-01T23:28:52.514-05:00Every Monday Matters - Wk 2<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Monday #2 Challenge</span></strong><br />
<em>(Facts and text taken from the book.)</em><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">FACTS</span></strong><br />
* 99% of all homes in the U.S. have at least one TV—50% have three or more. <br />
* 68% of all 8- to 18-year olds have a TV in their bedroom and 49% have a video game player there as well. <br />
* A person watches TV an average of 40 days per year. <br />
* Children spend nearly 2,000 hours a year in front of a TV, playing on the computer, and playing video games, compared to 900 hours in school. <br />
* 200,000 violent acts, including 16,000 murders, will be seen on TV by a child before their 18th birthday. <br />
* Roughly 70% of all shows include some sexual content, with an average of five sexual scenes per hour. <br />
* 57% of parents admit to having some degree of difficulty in getting their teens involved in meaningful conversations; and, 74% of parents are not sure their teens are even listening when they talk. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">TAKE ACTION</span></strong><br />
* Turn off your TV today. Tape the “No TV” sign to all TV screens so that you don’t turn it on out of habit. <br />
* Designate certain TV-free times throughout the week to reduce viewing hours. <br />
* Remove TVs from bedrooms, the kitchen, etc.<br />
* Make a list of activities to do besides watching TV―activities like reading, biking, swimming, walking, gardening, or socializing with friends. Then start doing them. <br />
* Avoid using TV as a reward―this only increases its power. <br />
* Be more selective about programming―choose history, travel, cooking, home repair/design, and other educational themes. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">YOU MATTER</span></strong><br />
70% of people say that no matter how hard they try, they never seem to have enough time to do everything they need to do. Are you part of that 70%? If you gave up TV for just one day a week, you could exercise the recommended weekly amount necessary for healthy living, read over 20 books a year, or spend more time with your loved ones. Instead of watching reruns of Friends, go make some. <br />
<br />
___________________________________________<br />
<br />
I turned off the TV today. The same TV that only gets left on in the daytime for background noise. Yep, that's right. I only did it to save electricity. TV is not my vice. Sadly, it's the computer. I tried hard to turn that off today too. I succeeded. I failed. I succeeded. I failed. This is something that I have to work at daily. I am glad though that I don't have the TV <em>AND</em> the computer as issues in our house.LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-11659708572662107982010-02-22T15:41:00.002-05:002010-02-22T15:44:44.016-05:00Every Monday MattersI love Mondays! I know that many of you do not feel the way I do. I saw this great little book while perusing a shop with J last weekend. Yes, our proposal weekend. Oooh! Okay, I am done. Back to the original point of this... Every Monday Matters! It can and it does. Follow me on this little journey (and join in) as I take small steps to make a big difference.<br />
<div></div><em>Excerpt taken from the book</em><br />
<strong>FACTS</strong><br />
<strong>The average person spends:</strong><br />
<ul><li>100 hours a year commuting to work, compared to 80 hours of vacation time. </li>
<li>91 hours a week at work for dual-career couples with kids under 18. </li>
<li>1.8 hours a day doing household activities. </li>
<li>2.6 hours a day watching TV. </li>
<li>8.6 hours a day sleeping. </li>
</ul>Time is a non-renewable resource. Once it’s used up, you can’t get it back.<br />
<br />
<strong>TAKE ACTION TODAY</strong><br />
<ul><li>Stop and think … then make a list of What Matters Most to you. </li>
<li>Create a list of how you currently spend your time each week. </li>
<li>Organize your list of weekly activities and identify activities that are required and those that are optional or waste time. </li>
<li>Take steps to rearrange your schedule or reduce the optional activities so you can spend time doing What Matters Most. </li>
</ul><div></div><strong>YOU MATTER</strong><br />
What really matters most to you? Your relationships with family, friends, and children? Helping others? Passions? Faith? Security? Health? At the end of each year, don’t you want to look back and see that you made a difference? That you matter? Today is the start of a new year. Start it off by making a difference in you, your life, and the lives of those you love. This is your opportunity. Time spent on What Matters Most is never wasted time.<br />
____________________________________________<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My List of What Matters Most</span></strong><br />
<br />
- my relationship with the Lord<br />
- my relationship with J <br />
- my relationship with my family<br />
- my friendships<br />
- my job<br />
- my health<br />
<br />
<strong><em>* Create a list of how you currently spend your time each week. </em></strong><br />
- working and commuting: 45 hours<br />
- exercising: 6 hours<br />
- sleeping: 50 hours<br />
- cleaning: 10 hours<br />
- on the computer: 25 hours<br />
- building relationships: 15 hours<br />
<br />
<strong><em>* Organize your list of weekly activities and identify activities that are </em></strong><strong><em>required and those that are optional or waste time. </em></strong><br />
<br />
I need to devote time to reading my bible and being in devotion with the Lord. This is the most important thing to me, yet I seem to let it slip and slide all over the place. I need to spend less time on the computer. I need to adjust the way I spend my time building relationships.LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-71984270732786825442010-02-19T10:10:00.001-05:002010-02-19T18:00:53.165-05:00Friday, sweet Friday!I can't begin to explain how this past week has been. I've had emotions I've never felt. I've viewed certain things in a completely different light. I've laughed in places I shouldn't have. I smile more. <br />
<br />
I sat at my desk at work and listened to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueP05bkWVvQ"><span id="goog_1266590905344"></span>this song<span id="goog_1266590905345"></span></a> over and over...staring at my engagement ring with a smile. <br />
<br />
<em>Hey now, this is my desire</em><br />
<em>Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful</em><br />
<em>To touch me, I know that I'm in reach</em><br />
<em>'Cause I am down on my knees, I'm waiting for something beautiful</em><br />
<em>Oh, something beautiful</em><br />
<em>And the water is risin' quick</em><br />
<em>And for years I was scared of it</em><br />
<em>We can't be sure when it will subside</em><br />
<em>So I won't leave your side, no I can't leave your side</em><br />
<br />
I felt the warmth of the sun through the glass door. I couldn't help but lean against it. It felt so good that I pressed my face, my hands, and then my entire body against it. I wanted to be bathed in that warmth...just like my old Amy cat. She would lay in the sunny spots on the carpet and seem so peaceful. I had a bit of that peace and warmth today too. If there would have been more time before I had to unlock that door I would have grabbed the pink body pillow and curled up on the window ledge in the front party room. Ahh, goals for another day.<br />
<br />
I hesitated before changing my Facebook status today. I like that it announced our engagement, even if all of those Facebook friends of mine already know. I liked seeing it and reliving that moment that I.SAID.YES!! At this point, I don't care if this lovey dovey crap is annoying ya'll. It is mine. It is J's. It is OURS and I plan on enjoying it for as long as possible. If you know us in the slightest, you know that we are not lovey dovey. There is nothing "ooey gooey" about our love. We are not usually this sticky sweet couple. So, please, be patient. Let me enjoy it for now.<br />
<br />
<br />
Today I am looking forward to just a peaceful, normal Friday. I was reading another blog today and came across this quote. It spoke to me. I loved it, and now I'll share it with you.<br />
<br />
<em>"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."</em><br />
I'm so looking forward to this normal day!LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-28259223446338495532010-02-15T13:26:00.013-05:002010-02-17T20:06:36.267-05:00Our Engagement Weekend - an Ooey Gooey Lovefest!<strong>December 2004</strong><br />
J and I have been friends for about 7 months now. We act like a couple, but I am not ready for another relationship. <br />
<br />
<strong>January 2005</strong><br />
I fit nicely in his arms. He makes me happy. We have a lot of fun together. Okay, he can be my boyfriend now...but I'm not asking.<br />
<br />
<strong>February 13, 2005</strong><br />
We take a little trip to Frankenmuth. We plan to stay the weekend. On this day he asks me to be his girlfriend. I say yes. I like him.<br />
<br />
We carry on about our life together...as boyfriend and girlfriend. A year passes. Then two, three, four and five. Wow. Five years. We act like a married couple, but he's not ready for a wife, I guess.<br />
<br />
<strong>February 13, 2010</strong><br />
We take a little trip to Frankenmuth. We plan to stay the weekend. It's our 5 year anniversary and J surprises me and takes me back to where we first started dating. He asks me to be his wife. I say yes. I LOVE HIM. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Here is how it all went down....</strong></span><br />
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We are just leaving our hotel to walk around Frankenmuth. Aren't we cute? I take a lot of photo's of us this way.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308488548871_798413871_3415606_4639654_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308488548871_798413871_3415606_4639654_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We walked and talked. I mentioned the horses. J mentioned the horses. What girl doesn't want to go on a horse-drawn carriage ride? We kept walking and talking. He brings up the horses again and I say that I want to go for a ride. I wanted a white horse. Oh please can we have a white horse?! They have to go in order and to my delight, a white horse was next in line. J is oftly chatty, asking one of the attendants about pictures and stuff. I figured he was just being sweet, since this <strong><em>is</em></strong> our five-year anniversary and all. We get in and the girl offers to take a couple pictures.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308510643871_798413871_3415639_2213970_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308510643871_798413871_3415639_2213970_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308514578871_798413871_3415647_227375_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308514578871_798413871_3415647_227375_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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We're riding along, up a river-lined road. I've never been on this quaint little road in all the times I've been to Frankenmuth. I bet I'll visit it quite a few times in the future. I'm happy and J seems happy. I snap another photo of us. It looks very similar to the first one in this post except our eyes are a bit glossier and our noses are red. I lean in and tell J that I feel like a princess.<br />
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Our driver introduces himself (and also the horse, Ernie) and tells us to ask any questions along the way. J asked if we could stop along the way for a photo. Our driver happily obliged. As J exited the carriage I heard him whisper to the driver. I was oblivious but hopeful...do you know what I mean? He stopped me from exiting the carriage and he knelt down on the step. He put his hands on me and I froze. (I have tears typing this out.) He looked me in the eyes and said....<br />
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"First of all, I love you...very much." .... <em>insert tears</em>...<em>he pulls a little black box from somewhere</em>..."Will you marry me?"<br />
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I can't even tell you what I felt. It was such an amazing feeling. I want to relive it a thousand times over. I think every little girl dreams of this moment. No matter how old we are, we all have a bit of that "little girl" inside. I really did feel like a princess.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308537203871_798413871_3415714_3431948_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="298" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308537203871_798413871_3415714_3431948_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
As you know, I said YES! To be exact, I said "Of course! Are you kidding me? Oh my gosh, YES!!" Then I said "let me out of here!" I was still inside the carriage and he was outside. This moment was followed by a lot of laughter and tears. We hugged and cried and kissed and laughed. Ernie (the horse) peed. HILARIOUS. That is our life. I debated whether or not to include this, but yeah, it's our life. We roll with it. Our driver congratulated us and we carried on for the remainder of our ride. I wanted to take it all in and enjoy the moment. We snuggled. We laughed. We shouted out to this family walking by and waving to us - <em> "We just got engaged!!" </em><br />
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At the time it felt like the longest horse-drawn carriage ride ever. I wanted to enjoy it, but I also wanted to call my momma and my sister. J knew that so he encouraged me to call. I did. "Momma, I'm ENGAGED!" *sob* *sob* *sob* She knew. J had talked to both her and my dad prior so they knew that phone call was coming. We enjoyed the last few minutes of our ride. When we got back one of the attendants greeted us right away. She knew too. J told her before we left. She was ready to snap some pics for us.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><strong>Our first pic as an engaged couple!</strong></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308557393871_798413871_3415780_2160280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs194.snc3/20152_308557393871_798413871_3415780_2160280_n.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;"><strong><span style="color: magenta;">And our second!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308559913871_798413871_3415795_4316428_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308559913871_798413871_3415795_4316428_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Talk about giddy. I could not stop smiling. This was the case for the majority of...well... it continues. Still smiling! Before I even crossed the street I was dialing my sister. I needed to tell my Beckey. I stopped in the middle of the street and told her. When something so great happens in life, you want to share it with the people who mean the most to you. I was doing that. I even talked to my niece and nephew. You know...the people that mean the most! My sweet 10 year old niece said "so..did you say yes?" Yes, Lovey Girl, I did! "Well, that's exciting!" Awe. Love her so! Here is the conversation between my 6 year old nephew and I.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Me: Hi buddy! Guess what?<br />
Him: What?<br />
Me: Uncle J asked me to marry him today!<br />
Him: Okay<br />
Me: You don't really care, do you?<br />
Him: Nope..not at all. So, how many days can we spend at your house over summer vacation? 17?? 100??<br />
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<em>Man, I love that kid!</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We shared the news with some more friends and family. We squee'd and jumped up and down together, over the phone. We called, we texted, we facebooked. Okay, well, I did all that. J shared it with a few and plans to tell people in person. Um, I.could.not.wait. We went back to the hotel and we continued to share the news. We relaxed a bit before going back to town. He pulled out the ring bag. I thought it was silly, odd, cute that he had it all with him, until I realized the reason, and then I cried again. He knows how I feel about diamonds. Due to the conflicts in Africa and blood diamonds, I am not a fan. I would have been happy with Moissanite or even Cubic Zirconia. Instead, he sought out a conflict-free diamond. He read me the certified guarantee and gave me a copy for safe-keeping. That is love, my friends. That is love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308588963871_798413871_3416000_4756891_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308588963871_798413871_3416000_4756891_n.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: 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: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ring!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308845463871_798413871_3417490_4748472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308845463871_798413871_3417490_4748472_n.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="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308842528871_798413871_3417421_5649729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308842528871_798413871_3417421_5649729_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here are some pictures of our night. At one point I felt like everything was worthy of a photo. Believe it or not, I've spared you a few.<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="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308861118871_798413871_3417676_765629_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308861118871_798413871_3417676_765629_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308837918871_798413871_3417419_6180353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308837918871_798413871_3417419_6180353_n.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;">\<a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308876353871_798413871_3417785_1501000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308876353871_798413871_3417785_1501000_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308893008871_798413871_3418082_3814617_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308893008871_798413871_3418082_3814617_n.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;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs170.snc3/19752_308891383871_798413871_3418058_4422005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="267" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs170.snc3/19752_308891383871_798413871_3418058_4422005_n.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;">Love was all around us, popping up everywhere to say hello! J said it was because it was Valentine's weekend. Um...it was because it was our ENGAGEMENT weekend...obviously!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308875138871_798413871_3417783_1192199_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308875138871_798413871_3417783_1192199_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308864588871_798413871_3417713_3975869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308864588871_798413871_3417713_3975869_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308862358871_798413871_3417691_5590010_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308862358871_798413871_3417691_5590010_n.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 />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309600333871_798413871_3421260_8168894_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309600333871_798413871_3421260_8168894_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308857913871_798413871_3417672_4590561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308857913871_798413871_3417672_4590561_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308894408871_798413871_3418116_775252_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_308894408871_798413871_3418116_775252_n.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;">So freakin' sweet. Seriously. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308897003871_798413871_3418117_7779653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="253" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308897003871_798413871_3418117_7779653_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308898828871_798413871_3418120_7898046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308898828871_798413871_3418120_7898046_n.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;"><strong>Day Two...</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs190.snc3/19752_309605058871_798413871_3421263_790018_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs190.snc3/19752_309605058871_798413871_3421263_790018_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308847843871_798413871_3417556_5358185_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308847843871_798413871_3417556_5358185_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309603538871_798413871_3421261_4809082_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309603538871_798413871_3421261_4809082_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308920363871_798413871_3418318_6717927_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308920363871_798413871_3418318_6717927_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Cheese Haus and the mouse statue are a special thing between us. The two ladies that were taking our pics were so in love with our love. It was such a joyful moment. That's why I kept the second pic...even though my eyes are closed.</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="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308903128871_798413871_3418135_5603836_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308903128871_798413871_3418135_5603836_n.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308905038871_798413871_3418139_5973326_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308905038871_798413871_3418139_5973326_n.jpg" width="280" /></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;">Even the taffy kisses!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308900678871_798413871_3418127_1098345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_308900678871_798413871_3418127_1098345_n.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; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What's a trip to Frankenmuth without a stop for fudge. We sweeten up the entire family with fudgey goodness.</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_309555433871_798413871_3421148_5415030_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_309555433871_798413871_3421148_5415030_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_309556673871_798413871_3421149_1619145_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs190.snc3/19752_309556673871_798413871_3421149_1619145_n.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 />
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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;"><strong><em>Are you sick of us yet? </em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_309559283871_798413871_3421155_5203301_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_309559283871_798413871_3421155_5203301_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">In one of the shops they had a shop kitty. Her name was Diamond. Fitting, huh?! She loved J. J loves animals and they love him. However, when I tried to pet her, she scurried away. Nice.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309562133871_798413871_3421160_4852823_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309562133871_798413871_3421160_4852823_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We ended our visit with a visit to the St. Julian Winery. We tasted lots of samples, took a little tour, and had a special bottle made up just for us. It was the perfect ending to our weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308851818871_798413871_3417611_1225820_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_308851818871_798413871_3417611_1225820_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_309565828871_798413871_3421164_648820_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_309565828871_798413871_3421164_648820_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309569443871_798413871_3421168_4443634_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309569443871_798413871_3421168_4443634_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309577203871_798413871_3421174_411044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309577203871_798413871_3421174_411044_n.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;"><a href="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309591178871_798413871_3421182_3007578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19752_309591178871_798413871_3421182_3007578_n.jpg" width="298" /></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;"><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="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_309594873871_798413871_3421184_1780641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19752_309594873871_798413871_3421184_1780641_n.jpg" width="298" /></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;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">To Be Continued...</span></strong></div>LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-28521230205306750842010-02-10T11:03:00.001-05:002010-02-10T11:04:50.689-05:00Cirque du Soleil - AlegriaWhat a wonderful night! I love Cirque performances. I have seen La Nouba in Orlanda, FL and also "O" at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Sunday I was able to add Alegria to that list. Each one is so different and so amazing. It's always a mesmerizing show and I cannot wait for the next one...hopefully it will be LOVE, the Beatles Tribute back in Las Vegas.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thyago.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/cirque-du-soleil-alegria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="http://thyago.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/cirque-du-soleil-alegria.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Cirque_du_Soleil_Alegria_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" kt="true" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Cirque_du_Soleil_Alegria_4.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;">I'm already planning my Halloween costume for this year. I want to be HER! Isn't she lovely? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She was the main performer/singer for the show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/NR/ContentConnector/CS2000/SiteInterface/alegria/images/characters/pop_singer_white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kt="true" src="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/NR/ContentConnector/CS2000/SiteInterface/alegria/images/characters/pop_singer_white.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br />
We had great seats and I knew cameras would not be allowed, but I brought it anyway. I was right - they were not allowed. As a matter of fact, they were "strictly prohibited!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/IMG_1800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" kt="true" src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/IMG_1800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was made quite clear the moment we parked our car. This was the first of many signs right from the parking attendant. I had my camera disguised in my hat, covered by it's strap, in the bottom of my purse. I'm no rookie. I've done this before. You could not see it. In it was coming! We hand over our tickets. We go through the metal detectors. We get our purses checked. We get our <s>camera</s> purses handed back to us. They didn't see it. Then....the lady asks us if we have any cameras or video-recording devices on our person. Gulp! I don't lie. I should have. "Yes, ma'am...I have a camera." Dummy, dummy, dummy! I was escorted along with multiple others to go check our camera. It was fine. I wouldn't have used it anyway because somewhere between the ages of 25 and 29 I became a chicken....or maybe a grown up. You pick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the fabulous show I was given my camera back. Thankyouverymuch! I tried to snap a quick shot of my momma and me in the parking structure. Lol! We had a few attempts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/Picnikcollage-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kt="true" src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/Picnikcollage-2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love my mom so much. She is an amazing woman who always puts others first...including me. I am blessed by her. I LOVE YOU MOM!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After that, we were off. It was too cold to walk around downtown and take pics, so I snapped a few from the moving vehicle. Not my finest work to say the least... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/IMG_1760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/IMG_1760.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="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/IMG_1761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/IMG_1761.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-77708090584435705252010-02-06T16:28:00.001-05:002010-02-06T16:50:31.108-05:00365 days of photosI love to take photographs. You capture a smile, a moment, a memory. Sometimes you just take the mundane and make it look pretty. Some days, like <a href="http://polkadots365.blogspot.com/2010/02/february-3-2010-groundhog-was-right.html">February 3, 2010</a> you capture your morning commute, through a dirty, cracked windshield. Whatever it is on the other side of that lense, you capture it, you look back at it and you remember.<br />
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Feel free to take a peek at my life through pictures in the first <a href="http://www.polkadots365.blogspot.com/">37 days of 2010</a>.LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-20783116473795435822010-02-05T15:18:00.000-05:002010-02-05T15:18:49.725-05:00So scarceI haven't posted in almost a month, and that is okay. I don't always have a lot to say...and when I do it might not make sense to most of you.<br />
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I have been reading a lot and reflecting and exercising and making healthy meals and baking bread from scratch and doing lots of laundry and catching up with old friends and working on building relationships with new ones, with God, with my family and with J. I guess I have been busy and i'll use that as my reasoning for not posting often. LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-2807541383460896822010-01-12T07:04:00.012-05:002010-01-12T07:04:00.849-05:00Tackle It TuesdayI must confess, I actually tackled this on Monday...but just like in board games, I cheat! <br />
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I didn't even think about organizing my pantry or turning that horrible catch-all closet into a functioning, useable space. Both areas have bugged me for awhile, but it was just never something that made it anywhere close to my to-do list... until Sunday night. I saw someone else post about their new and improved pantry. Oddly, it looked like my catch-all closet. Not the messiness of it, but the layout. The only difference was that my closet didn't have shelves.<br />
<br />
I laid awake Sunday night and browsed Home Depot's website for closet storage and organization. I had my shopping list ready for Monday and I was going to tackle this problem! Come Monday I thought back to my "budget" and how if I were going to make changes in 2010 then I probably shouldn't go out and drop $100 on new pullout shelves, baskets, and jars. Next thought - call J. He will know how to make my own. Better yet, he will offer to do it when he gets home from work. Nope, that wouldn't be good. He has been working so hard at work and also on our rental property. I am not going to put this off on him. <br />
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Plan B! (or C!..whatever)<br />
<br />
I remember this wonky put together shelving unit I had in storage somewhere. I dug it out and got to work. It isn't perfect and I still plan on adding some jars and bins for better organization, but for now, it is done and I DID IT! I love both new spaces. It makes finding things so much easier. Best of all, J was really proud and thankful for the new clean spaces too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/ClosetBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ps="true" src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/ClosetBefore.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/ClosetySpotAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ps="true" src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/ClosetySpotAfter.jpg" width="388" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/PantryBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ps="true" src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/PantryBefore.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/PantryAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ps="true" src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/pinktini44/PantryAfter.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(This bottom shelf is where the new jars and bins will come in handy. I have some excess baking supplies here that need seperate storage.)<br />
</div>LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-78612561435397799782010-01-09T15:58:00.001-05:002010-01-09T16:01:49.815-05:00Resolutions Shmesolutions!Ya'll know I don't like "resolutions" so I didn't make any this year. I did make my 10 in '10 list though. Let's see how it's going!<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The List:</span></strong><br />
1. Clean my home studio! (and keep it cleaned)<br />
2. Create at least one new and healthly meal each week<br />
3. Work out, work out, work out!<br />
4. Give more than I receive. Some form of hands-on charity. Not just giving of the $$ this year.<br />
5. Solidify some plans for my family<br />
6. Settle into a budget and savings plan<br />
7. Learn something new<br />
8. Start and complete PROJECT: 365<br />
9. Turn 30 with a smile<br />
10. Focus on the Lord, through consistently going to church, sharing Him with J and others and reading my Bible.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Progress:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Ha! Haven't even touched it. I did, however, spend hours yesterday cleaning the rest of the house. I scrubbed floors, I dusted, I mopped, I vacuumed, I did it all...except the studio.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. I am kicking butt and taking names. I have created so many new and healthy meals already that I better slow down or else I will run out of recipes before the summer. As <s>we speak</s> I type I have yeast rolls rising on the counter and a healthy chicken noodle soup simmering in the crockpot. Awww yeah!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Errrrday! That is right! I am down 2.6lbs from BEFORE the holidays and God knows I didn't weigh in during or directly after that two week long fat fest.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. I hope I am doing this. I am blessed so I feel like I am always receiving. I am looking for ways to volunteer. I have contacted a great lady at Project Linus and plan to start making some blankets for the little babies. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. I'm praying about it. That is all a girl can do at the moment.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Again, praying about it. We have also only ate out once this week. Well, I have only ate out once this week. On Thursday I splurged on small Diet Coke and a Fresco Steak Soft Taco from Taco Bell. Can a girl get some credit?! I said a SMALL Diet Coke. Woot! Go Lisa! Go Lisa! Normally I consume a large and drink every sip. It's not on my 10 in '10 but I am also trying to cut back on my ridiculous amount of Diet Coke.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. If recipes count, then check. If not, then I have another 11.5 months to go.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Started! 10 days down, 355 to go! Word.....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. Ahhh, 10 months to go.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">10. This is going well. I am trying to be the light. I am trying to honestly think "what would Jesus do." I have been focusing on being loving, encouraging, supportive, and uplifting to J throughout everything, everyday. We do need to go to church. Somedays I wish church wasn't 45 minutes away. It makes it tough. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for checking in and catching up with me. It's been a good 10 days! It is January 10th, right? Wouldn't it be funny if it was only the 9th? I'm such a dork. Off to check the date....</span></span>LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-52859244878416455682009-12-31T11:03:00.002-05:002010-01-01T09:44:04.261-05:0010 in '10I am not one for resolutions because, well, they rarely get kept for the entire year and I don't like them. I was thrilled when I saw Shanna doing a 10 in '10 list so I had to follow suit. I have thought about and prayed about what I would like to work on in 2010. Here is my list!<br />
<br />
1. Clean my home studio! (and keep it cleaned)<br />
2. Create at least one new and healthly meal each week<br />
3. Work out, work out, work out!<br />
4. Give more than I receive. Some form of hands-on charity. Not just giving of the $$ this year.<br />
5. Solidify some plans for my family<br />
6. Settle into a budget and savings plan<br />
7. Learn something new<br />
8. Start and complete PROJECT: 365<br />
9. Turn 30 with a smile<br />
10. Focus on the Lord, through consistently going to church, sharing Him with J and others and reading my Bible.<br />
<br />
HAPPY NEW YEAR!LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-14690281275596369352009-12-30T09:48:00.001-05:002009-12-30T09:49:05.981-05:00PerspectivesI need to change the way I think about some things. I am blessed. Do you hear that, self? YOU. ARE. BLESSED! <br />
<br />
I don't want to be at work....I am so thankful that I have a job in this economy.<br />
I don't want to go home and work out...I am blessed with health and a body that moves.<br />
I wish J wanted to go out tomorrow night...I am thankful that we will spend tomorrow night together, safely.<br />
I haven't had any orders in a few days...I have had extra time in the past few days to spend with family.<br />
I am not content with my life right now...I am where God wants me to be, for a reason.<br />
<br />
This is just the beginning. On a "bad day" I could go on and on with the first list. I encourage all of you to try and change your perspectives on a few things. Whimsy Wishes!LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-71215615404821627032009-12-17T15:00:00.000-05:002009-12-17T15:00:06.365-05:00All in a days workis enjoying an afternoon <strike>bottle</strike> glass of wine and counting my blessings.LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-84558601963037802192009-11-26T11:16:00.001-05:002009-11-26T11:16:41.242-05:00Just a moment to reflectIt's Thanksgiving morning. I am thankful. Our Thanksgiving guests have gone from 30 to 4 in just a week or so. I am okay with that. Good thing I have been so busy and didn't have a chance to go to the market until Tuesday. <br />
<br />
I am waiting for my sweet mama to call me back. That is why I am blabbing on my blog. I need to know how she wants the sweet potatoes cooked. I do not eat them, therefore I do not know how to cook them. I mean, yeah, I have recipes galore...but does she want marshmallows on her yams? I dunno! Up until now I thought I would throw them in a dish, pop them in the oven, and serve 'em up warm. Sounds good, huh?! Then I got to thinking about last year. I made some bourbon soaked, brown sugar, slow cooker version and people gobbled them up. Hee, hee...I said gobbled. Anyway, the sooner she calls me back the sooner I can stop making dumb turkey jokes.<br />
<br />
What did you have for breakfast today? I thought about some delectable pancakes or an egg fritatta. Then I thought about how I worked all day yesterday, baked all of last night, will be cooking and cleaning for the better half of the day and then decided on some frozen taquitos. Yeah, the same taquitos we made for dinner last night. I popped them in the oven for 15 minutes and we ate them with a bit of sour cream. Eh?! It is fine. They were delicious and best of all.... we used paper plates so NO DISHES! Don't judge me.<br />
<br />
Seriously! Who is she talking to? How long does it take to call a girl back. She is about 5 minutes away from making her own stinkin' sweet potatoes. I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Kind of... I have a bit of OCD, I think, and it flusters me to move on to something else when clearly "sweet potatoes" is where I am at on my to-do list. I am uncomfortable with putting them off and moving on. It will mess up my entire flow, not to mention my list.<br />
<br />
I'm taking a deep breath and moving on. I have enjoyed these few minutes with ya'll and now I must go. Maybe if I sign .......off.........real.........slow.......she'll........call........back.........just.......in..........time..........<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, Happy Thanksgiving ya Jive Turkeys!LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-27362200667213594732009-11-09T13:06:00.000-05:002009-11-09T13:06:28.462-05:00TWBA: AccomplishmentsThis week on <a href="http://www.mygreatretreat.com/">MGR</a>, our blog assignment is to share something we've accomplished so far this month. Well, since we're only one week into it I feel like I don't have much to choose from. Hmmm.... let's see.<br />
<br />
I've decided to get back on track with working out. I was doing great until the middle of October. I got hit with a nasty head cold and needed a few days rest. Then, I got horrible news from the doctor's office and just hit a wall. I fell into a slump and decided that not working out and eating whatever I wanted was fine. Good thing that sour attitude didn't last long! November 1st was a new month...a new start!<br />
<br />
I am 6 days into another round of the 30 day shred. I am working out 5 days a week instead of 7. I like my two rest days. My body likes those two rest days also. So yeah, that is my accomplishment for November so far. Starting a new plan!LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-53086507283712976332009-11-03T20:23:00.000-05:002009-11-03T20:23:52.668-05:00A Little Gem!Have you ever known someone who just radiates goodness? Someone who truly would give you the shirt off their back? Someone who always has a nice thing to say? Someone who pops in with a text message or an email to brighten your dreary day? <br />
<br />
Well, I do know someone like that. Her name is Meghan. Before I could even call Meghan a friend I could sense these things about her. She contacted me first as a WAHM, through my business, offering me an advertising opportunity on a forum she was on. I accepted and the rest just gets better from there. She is all about helping other work-at-home mom's (or work-at-home chicks) like me. She has an awesome Win It Wednesday feature on her <a href="http://www.tuckerstaketennessee.blogspot.com/">blog</a> where she spotlights a wahm and one of their great products for a giveaway. Meghan doesn't get the product...it goes directly to the winner. She doesn't get paid by these wahms either. (I know, because I have been featured on one of her <a href="http://tuckerstaketennessee.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-it-wednesday-little-painted-polka.html">Win It Wednesday's</a>). She does this out of the goodness of her heart, to help other wahm's.<br />
<br />
I have so many good things I could say about this girl. I hope one day ya'll meet someone as geniune and nice as Meghan. For all you wahm's, drop Meghan a line if you want. I'm sure she'll be happy to add you to one of her Win It Wednesdays. LittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749012133813770213.post-73147467189397783612009-10-30T06:00:00.001-04:002009-10-30T09:19:36.174-04:00Private Party - Happy Birthday to ME!Tommorow is the day! I will be TWENTY NINE! My last birthday in my twenties. I really thought I might cry and be depressed, but I am going to put that on hold. I am going to celebrate my life. I have accomplished a lot in these 29 years. I am blessed in more ways than I can count. I have a good life and I look forward to another 29 years.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I’m having a private party<br />
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here<br />
I’m havin’ a private party<br />
Learning how to love me<br />
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah<br />
<br />
<br />
I’m having a private party<br />
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here<br />
I’m havin’ a private party<br />
Learning how to love me<br />
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah<br />
<br />
<br />
I tried to call my mother, but<br />
She didn’t get where I was going<br />
I called my boyfriend and he said<br />
Call me back a little later baby<br />
I hung up the phone, I felt so alone<br />
Started to feel a little pity<br />
That’s when I realized that I<br />
Gotta find the joy inside of me<br />
<br />
I’m having a private party<br />
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here<br />
I’m havin’ a private party<br />
Learning how to love me<br />
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I’m gonna take off all my clothes<br />
Look at myself in the mirror<br />
We’re gonna have a conversation<br />
We’re gonna heal the disconnection<br />
I don’t remember when it started<br />
But this is where it’s gonna end<br />
My body is beautiful and sacred<br />
And I’m gonna celebrate it<br />
<br />
<br />
I’m having a private party<br />
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here<br />
I’m havin’ a private party<br />
Learning how to love me<br />
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah<br />
<br />
<br />
All my life (all my life)<br />
I’ve been looking for (I’ve been looking for)<br />
Somebody else (else)<br />
To make me whole (ooo)<br />
But I had to learn the hard way (ooo)<br />
True love began with me (ooo)<br />
This is not ego or vanity (ooo)<br />
I’m just celebrating me<br />
<br />
<br />
I’m having a private party<br />
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here<br />
I’m havin’ a private party<br />
Learning how to love me<br />
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes I’m alone but never lonely<br />
That’s what I’ve come to realize<br />
I’ve learned to love the quiet moments<br />
The Sunday mornings of life<br />
Where I can reach deep down inside<br />
Or out into the universe<br />
I can laugh until I cry<br />
Or I can cry away the hurt<br />
<br />
I’m having a private party<br />
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here<br />
I’m havin’ a private party<br />
Learning how to love me<br />
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy birthday to me<br />
Happy birthday to me<br />
Happy birthday<br />
Happy birthday to me<br />
Happy birthday to me<br />
Happy birthday<br />
(Chorus 2x)<br />
<br />
- India.ArieLittlePaintedPolkaDotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16460301517234366160noreply@blogger.com1