tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77671612421855427392024-03-13T00:20:56.357-05:00our young familyThe Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-11497105480769296652011-08-22T19:26:00.001-05:002011-08-22T19:27:00.995-05:00I've been missing for a while...<div style="text-align: center;">...because I am </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">OH</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">-</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">VER</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">-</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">WHELMED</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...but in a good way. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVE teaching so far.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My kids are awesome, my colleagues are awesome... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean let's be honest... it doesn't get much better than getting paid to sing and teach others to sing all day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love my job.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Remind me of that later when I'm on here stressed out and freaking out, k? Thanks.) </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>=)</i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-74468457634581168862011-08-10T20:48:00.002-05:002011-08-10T20:57:30.219-05:00101 in 1001 Update<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><b>*~*~* Day 206 of 1001 *~*~*</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A list of things I've completed since my last update:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>5. Read a classic novel</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>June 26, 2011</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://novelreaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pride_and_prejudice12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://novelreaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pride_and_prejudice12.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I enjoyed every minute of this brilliant novel. Though reading the book usually causes one to look down on the movie in most cases, this was just the opposite. I loved reading Austen's expansions on characters which weren't elaborated on in the movie. It helped me better understand some moments on screen that had always baffled me. Loved it.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>12. Start my career</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>July 1, 2011</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pjgreetings.com/v/vspfiles/photos/STK_Teach%20Music-2T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.pjgreetings.com/v/vspfiles/photos/STK_Teach%20Music-2T.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>On July 1st I was officially hired as the new choral director at a local high school. I am pumped and feeling incredibly blessed. Excited and anxious all at the same time. School starts in less than a week, ahhh! =)</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>PS, I already had my first performance with the chamber choir at the Royal's game a few weeks ago, they did awesome!</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>23. Meet Regularly with my accountability partner</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Summer 2011</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drxkBm3cVxA/Tjyrf1AFriI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/Bjzpel723As/s512/P1020670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drxkBm3cVxA/Tjyrf1AFriI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/Bjzpel723As/s320/P1020670.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Pictured above is my lovely accountability partner, <a href="http://lifeasahamm.wordpress.com/">Britney</a>, with her awesome hubby, Travis. Brit and I have been accountability partners for a few years now and at times have met more regularly than others. This past year has been rather irregular so when summer started we made a goal to make weekly meetings together a priority. It has been great and we have grown a lot! Also in this post you will see updates about my week 100% make-up free and a new 'Godly wife' book I'm working through... both of these have been/are being ventured through with the lovely Britney. =)</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>27. Go a full week 100% make-up free</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>July 23, 2011</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41801_39568884737_8917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41801_39568884737_8917_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Mentioned above, my accountability partner, <a href="http://lifeasahamm.wordpress.com/">Britney</a>, and I recently challenged each other to one week 100% make-up free. You can read more about what I learned that week in my full post <a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2011/08/fresh-face-fresh-perspective.html">here</a>.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>42. Plan a surprise for Mark</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>June 27, 2011</i></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.weddingwire.com/static/vendor/175001_180000/175239/thumbnails/220x220_1297360593173-SmetonaPhotoBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://static.weddingwire.com/static/vendor/175001_180000/175239/thumbnails/220x220_1297360593173-SmetonaPhotoBadge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Talented photographer and beloved friend, Kristin Smetona, helped me create a one-of-a-kind birthday gift for my husband with a boudoir photo session. Yes, this is personal and yes, I'm sharing this in blogland. Why? Because I believe this is a wonderful gift for any woman to give to her husband and I love what Kristin has to say on the matter... if you want to hear more about that, ask. =) Click <a href="http://www.smetonaphoto.com/#!boudoir">here</a> to check out Smetona Photo.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>101. Make strawberry jam</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>June 21, 2011</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.52kitchenadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/3-strawberry-jam-jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://www.52kitchenadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/3-strawberry-jam-jars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Our freezer is now stocked with this deliciousness. </i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>YUM. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A list of things in progress since my last update:</span></b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>24. Complete 5 crafts in my "Whit's Projects" folder</b></span></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuMhi-PS5wdxfwkvTsq-8uGdxS_eCpqCiUEJ9S4806v87eu8rRVCb65yXbcnoqwn7lbYu3UnWLfYD19s2rffKAgHazqkVIsmM1sIx4la8FPxipmW7EYMBKszN_4xoHmMAvbRsDkWjbPA/s1600/DSC06603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuMhi-PS5wdxfwkvTsq-8uGdxS_eCpqCiUEJ9S4806v87eu8rRVCb65yXbcnoqwn7lbYu3UnWLfYD19s2rffKAgHazqkVIsmM1sIx4la8FPxipmW7EYMBKszN_4xoHmMAvbRsDkWjbPA/s320/DSC06603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>"Whit Projects" craft #3 = <a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-baby-burp-cloths.html">Baby Burp Cloths</a> </i></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>56. Do the mending I've neglected</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://buncombecounty4h.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/sewing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://buncombecounty4h.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/sewing1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><i>This was a large pile, okay folks? But I sat down in one day and tackled everything except the jeans which I need to purchase patches for -- yay me! =)</i></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>79. Read 3 new 'Godly wife' books</b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.turnbacktogod.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/the-power-of-a-praying-wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.turnbacktogod.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/the-power-of-a-praying-wife.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><u>The Power of a Praying Wife</u> is the first 'Godly wife' book I am tackling. Together with my accountability partner, <a href="http://lifeasahamm.wordpress.com/">Britney</a>, I am examining my own heart while committing to intentional prayer for my husband. Highly recommended book! =)</i></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>81. Do 5 random acts of kindness</b></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gapingvoidgallery.com/product_thumb.php?img=images/lovebegetslove%20-%20med.jpg&w=509&h=400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://www.gapingvoidgallery.com/product_thumb.php?img=images/lovebegetslove%20-%20med.jpg&w=509&h=400" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Okay, well I feel a little weird sharing my random acts of kindness because that almost feels like bragging... so I'm just going to leave it at I took an opportunity to help a stranger I met while running errands... I think it may have blessed me more than him. And that was #1 of 5.</i></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Click <a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2011/01/101-in-1001.html">here</a> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">to check out the original "101 in 1001" post</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'll be updating it with completion dates and links to update posts {such as this one} as I go.</span></span></div></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-31600006024410220202011-08-07T17:39:00.002-05:002011-08-07T20:17:09.497-05:00fresh face, fresh perspective<div style="text-align: center;">About a week ago, my lovely accountability partner, <a href="http://lifeasahamm.wordpress.com/">Britney</a>, and I decided to embark on a week long challenge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>We decided to go one week 100% make-up free.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We've talked on and off about doing a challenge like this for a few years now but never had the "time" <i>{which actually means never had the guts}</i>. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The motivation?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">To reveal idols. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Idols which have been built by insecurities many women today struggle with. Insecurities resulting from finding our identity in beauty as the world has defined it, not in the truth of beauty as God defines it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We anticipated it wouldn't be easy and were anxious as our "start"day grew nearer to discover what God would reveal in each of our hearts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First of all, I have to tell you something funny... we rescheduled two or three times. The cause? Events that we just <i>couldn't</i> NOT wear make-up to! Hysterical, right? We fully realize <i>{then and now}</i> how completely this contradicts the entire purpose of this make-up free week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so skip ahead.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What did I experience?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's interesting actually. I realized that going about life make-upless didn't effect me the way I thought it would. I thought I would spend the week demolishing my idols of pride and vanity and that wasn't exactly the way it played out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">More often than not, I didn't notice much different that week. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No one treated me different or even seemed to notice the difference <i>{Isn't it funny how we can become so focused on ourselves that we assume everyone around us will notice how great we do or don't look?} </i>and<i> </i>I didn't feel as insecure as I thought I would <i>{I must honestly note that as a zit-prone kinda gal, I was thankful I happened to be having a "clear skin" week}.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">What <i>was</i> different?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I <i>did</i> notice when I looked in the mirror, and when I noticed, my thoughts weren't often positive.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I found that a few different days that week I tended to take on an attitude of, <i>"Well I'm not wearing make-up, I'll just throw my hair in a ponytail and wear some comfy clothes."</i> That was an interesting realization for me. It was as if I'd made a decision on those days that without make-up, it wasn't worth making myself presentable any other way... interesting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What I learned?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Make-up isn't as much a part of my identity as I thought it was. However, it is still <i>enough</i> a part of it that it needs to be kept in check. No, I don't believe wearing make-up and wanting to look attractive and presentable is wrong. I also don't believe any woman, myself included, should have to be wearing make-up <i>in order to feel </i>attractive and presentable. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our identity -- knowing we are beautiful inside and out -- should come from one place alone. We should know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we are beautiful women, inside and out, because we are created by a beautiful and holy God. David Crowder nailed this point on the head when he wrote, <i>"He makes everything glorious. He makes everything glorious, so what does that make me?"</i><br />
<i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, the hard part...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>How do I move forward?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is actually a really tough question right now. When Britney and I met at the end of our make-up free week we discussed this rather extensively. Neither of us are really sure, actually. We both agree that considering what's been revealed in our own hearts, we don't want to just call it a goal met and move forward as if nothing has happened. We also both agree that it's not <i>wrong</i> to wear make-up. I think we've both decided <i>{correct me if I'm wrong, Brit}</i> that it's important to continually evaluate our motivations behind make-up. We also want to re-evaluate how much make-up we wear and how often, because clearly, it didn't bother us a whole lot to let it go for a week, so maybe we don't need to be wearing it as much or as often... ? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The bottom line is that we want to move forward in the confidence that we have been created beautiful inside and out by a God who loves us and we need to wear that confidence everyday with or without our make-up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you have it, folks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would challenge any woman out there to try a week like this one... you may be surprised what a time of increased vulnerability gives the Lord opportunity to reveal in you! I'm certain He's far from finished revealing things in me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Oh, PS, this was #27 on the list, woo!</i></span></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-57127457130152549372011-07-26T22:00:00.001-05:002011-07-26T22:02:18.908-05:00DIY Baby Burp Cloths<div style="text-align: center;">I recently made a set of these cute little guys for my big sister, Jenna as well as my dear, dear friend, <a href="http://lifeasahamm.wordpress.com/">Britney</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These are a fun, simple and affordable gift for baby showers, baby arrival, or just because!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Materials:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Birdseye Fabric</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ribbon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Quilt Binding</div><div style="text-align: center;">Matching Thread</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">I used a tutorial found on one of the blogs I follow, but I cannot find the link for the life of me now, so sorry. But I will give a simplified run-down of what I did.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Now, I am a precise rule follower -- sometimes to the point of fault -- the first time I do <i>anything</i>, so at the end of this post I will also include a few points of things I will do differently next time.</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">1) Line up three layers of birdseye material, one on top of the other</div><div style="text-align: center;">2) You can probably cut two cloth widths from one stack... approximately 12 inches in width and 18 in length... adjust to your liking if you'd like them longer/shorter.</div><div style="text-align: center;">3) Run the long edges through the sewing machine, then turn the material inside-out / rightside-out... whatever you want to call it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">4) Cut and pin your choice of ribbon to line the inside third of the cloth -- stitch it in place then trim excess ribbon from edges.</div><div style="text-align: center;">5) Line top and bottom edges (the short ones) with quilt binding, pin in place then stitch and trim excess, carefully, as close to edge seam as possible. Careful not to cut into the seam of your long edge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Disclaimer: I am no seasoned seamstress... I just do it how it makes sense to me! So if any of you reading this are going, "No, not that way!" I take no offense... if you know a better method then by all means! =)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ta-Da!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuMhi-PS5wdxfwkvTsq-8uGdxS_eCpqCiUEJ9S4806v87eu8rRVCb65yXbcnoqwn7lbYu3UnWLfYD19s2rffKAgHazqkVIsmM1sIx4la8FPxipmW7EYMBKszN_4xoHmMAvbRsDkWjbPA/s1600/DSC06603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuMhi-PS5wdxfwkvTsq-8uGdxS_eCpqCiUEJ9S4806v87eu8rRVCb65yXbcnoqwn7lbYu3UnWLfYD19s2rffKAgHazqkVIsmM1sIx4la8FPxipmW7EYMBKszN_4xoHmMAvbRsDkWjbPA/s400/DSC06603.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think they're adorable and the mommies appeared to think so as well! =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, now for the few things I would do differently...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>1. One thing I did change after the first set was sewing the long edge and then flipping the fabric inside out. The tutorial said to stitch then trim the excess with pinking sheers... I did that with the first set and it didn't go well -- frayed like crazy -- so I changed my method with the second set. I believe it was a good call.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>2. In the future, I would add some extra material to the middle section of these burp cloths. Let's face it, we all know that's where the majority of the mess is usually aimed, and we could use some extra protection there. ;) I would have added it with the second set, but I didn't have enough material and had a deadline.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alrighty folks, I think that's it! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Let me know if you make some of these fun little guys yourself... I sure had a good time with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I must be off to see what our crazy pups won't stop barking at in the back yard... ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by!</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-38021573438420314172011-07-24T22:27:00.003-05:002011-07-25T20:26:04.739-05:00Let's try this look for a while<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I've been frustrated with the set up of our living room for a while now.</div><div style="text-align: center;">To be honest, I never have put much thought into it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is mainly because when we moved in, we didn't have much so things were placed in practical locations.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we moved to Texas and my mom moved her stuff into our house.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we moved back and moved our stuff back in with her stuff... </div><div style="text-align: center;">...then we bought more stuff in anticipation of losing her stuff when she left.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Needless to say, we were crammed in like sardines at this point.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then mom left and I quickly moved things to where I thought were the only reasonable places for them...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it never felt right.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, I am proud to say, genius struck!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It hit me while observing a conversation in our living room which closer resembled onlookers at a tennis match rather than family having a nice chat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So after most everyone had taken flight, I roped my mom into helping me shuffle a few things around and we went from this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH6Leu7hKer66sRFMqbxEVTGi4TYTPcDVbmgeqmkl6rNy9mDZhuD3MXO1kVWcF0JLG7p1GG7p6gigh8nbl0BAW0PoXOV_YK9tDvvwhfMLuUd5gx_EZmhWAp6zL3gU-N0rPBISvvXy4zI/s1600/DSC05676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH6Leu7hKer66sRFMqbxEVTGi4TYTPcDVbmgeqmkl6rNy9mDZhuD3MXO1kVWcF0JLG7p1GG7p6gigh8nbl0BAW0PoXOV_YK9tDvvwhfMLuUd5gx_EZmhWAp6zL3gU-N0rPBISvvXy4zI/s400/DSC05676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAff2Wj7M3UGsVmj3XBtDHIeXbKVShMvrlP3OHdchYZxaS0qRhT9Gf0wcvR99wjDwnhELcGqOPr1rwzVhokZIUxOSNB0s9tBgDti2Q-nXvaci2YF7-FswUTf8_2WdL-yL6_Y7YF_k06M/s1600/DSC06657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAff2Wj7M3UGsVmj3XBtDHIeXbKVShMvrlP3OHdchYZxaS0qRhT9Gf0wcvR99wjDwnhELcGqOPr1rwzVhokZIUxOSNB0s9tBgDti2Q-nXvaci2YF7-FswUTf8_2WdL-yL6_Y7YF_k06M/s400/DSC06657.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's amazing what a few minor changes can do!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We switched the chair closest to the dining room with the bookcase in the corner by the coat closet and moved the couch and other chair toward the far windows a bit in order to create a more functional, conversational sitting area. I'm also pleased as this has opened up space between the living room and dining room areas helping to create a more distinct separation between the two.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not pleased with how "blocky" and "in-the-way" the bookshelf seems, but this won't be a problem for long as it is soon to be replaced with one of these beauties...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AsCWtHj-TDewc6nJgnoD8cx-DBTq3hHwW0AvHoEJLS7SBHHNiYvqP4xFOPKdxY_4o_L1tOlIPeWOl5SmkGW0MgqIbQIhHJYQW9lWlFZqpUmNzGx1WKtZXC2VIGyp_D9dLQX7XSGc5iw/s1600/bedside4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AsCWtHj-TDewc6nJgnoD8cx-DBTq3hHwW0AvHoEJLS7SBHHNiYvqP4xFOPKdxY_4o_L1tOlIPeWOl5SmkGW0MgqIbQIhHJYQW9lWlFZqpUmNzGx1WKtZXC2VIGyp_D9dLQX7XSGc5iw/s400/bedside4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...which my incredible hubby is going to build for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Simple, airy, decorative... I am so excited.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The rug from the old pic was left from my mom. She didn't really have a place for it and we didn't have anything else at the time so she left it with us to use until whenever. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well while grocery shopping at Aldi the other day, I found this 4x6 brown shag rug for <i>$29.99!</i> It's not as big as we ultimately want but it was a <i>steal</i> of a price and one step closer to the <i>large</i> brown rug we would like to find eventually. So in the end, a small price for an "in-between" rug that matches a little better and makes us a bit happier... plus, when we replace it, this smaller rug will be the perfect touch to help cozy up my new office at school!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, overall, I'm happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Little changes making big differences... to me anyway.<br />
Yay.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>PS, while I was in the "rearranging mood" I decided to try a new look on the ol' blog. I'm still workin' on a new header, but let me know what you think!</i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-6056942033181224512011-07-02T07:39:00.000-05:002011-07-02T07:39:06.082-05:00Headed Back to High School<div style="text-align: center;">Most students spend their lives dreaming of getting out of high school... I've spent the past several years of my life dreaming of getting back into it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good news, folks, I have just been hired into my first teaching job!</div><div style="text-align: center;">This school year, I will be teaching high school choir</div><div style="text-align: center;">...my dream!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Never, in a million years, did I think I would get a high school music teaching position my first year out of the gate. Needless to say it is a BIG program with BIG responsibilities. I'm sure I will have more than a few moments of <i>"Ahhh... I don't know what I'm doing here!!!"</i> along the way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I am pumped about the job, the kids I will be teaching and the faculty I will be working with and I am ready to dive in!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wish me luck... wish me sanity. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I already know this is going to be a year packed full of learning, making mistakes, relearning, exciting times, difficult times and best of all... making music. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you would, say a prayer for me as I prepare to step up into this program and attempt to affect the lives of teenagers through teaching music.</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-60900396204814204162011-06-26T21:16:00.000-05:002011-06-26T21:16:23.420-05:00oh! hello, strangers!<div style="text-align: center;">I'm back! ...or so I say. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I find it interesting how my blogging life seems to ebb and flow depending on what is going on in our lives at the moment. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For instance... summer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You'd think this presents the allowance of lots of extra time, correct?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well I thought so... and so far I have been oh so very wrong.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where I had been used to getting home from student teaching by 3:30pm, having time to care for and play with the pups, clean up around the house and get dinner going before the hubs arrived home from work, now-a-days he beats me home nearly every night. Talk about a change of pace!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So now I try to walk in the door, immediately start cooking and still attempt to accomplish all around the house that I did before in oh so much less time. So basically... please don't come inspect my house right now because it is a disaster with a capital D!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do have a few days off this week so let's pray I use my time wisely to catch up on some much needed TLC for the homestead. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and maybe a little TLC for my craft-lovin' DIY starved self...</div><div style="text-align: center;">=D</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-92144885017932854582011-06-05T22:06:00.000-05:002011-06-05T22:06:23.203-05:00I'm an auntie!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Kinley Reece</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7IVVH8WsRe3RHKxKspcxXtAwsmkvk-lUV1xHVUPVuyVh1Aj2mIrHDoEM2XbdCX6RdliqH2yQZoTqFm1S6Who7LYc-uclQqVULWIa86-qz0uk5TlC-drZSimLn-LYTun1iojtLlkCrdo/s1600/DSC06327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7IVVH8WsRe3RHKxKspcxXtAwsmkvk-lUV1xHVUPVuyVh1Aj2mIrHDoEM2XbdCX6RdliqH2yQZoTqFm1S6Who7LYc-uclQqVULWIa86-qz0uk5TlC-drZSimLn-LYTun1iojtLlkCrdo/s400/DSC06327.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Born on Thursday, June 2, 2011 to a beautiful mommy...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aOE8fkhiSNtkeE4SaP8CEPg6FcNEQqRBjGgXYO58-Rt74Ln3c1MdH60O1dWbjDq7u3xFAMmVZjKODg2QoS0rwHXl0MIYjZB0oysCGkrcXMx9johEucFLcNhq0H4bJGcuphgnC6TYG8o/s1600/DSC06346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aOE8fkhiSNtkeE4SaP8CEPg6FcNEQqRBjGgXYO58-Rt74Ln3c1MdH60O1dWbjDq7u3xFAMmVZjKODg2QoS0rwHXl0MIYjZB0oysCGkrcXMx9johEucFLcNhq0H4bJGcuphgnC6TYG8o/s400/DSC06346.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>...and a loving daddy</i></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARU5hdJ2Qto7oPfDxCTVAQsDGkdEKKZT4iQIYSL9L9HQPu9vwVsaxIMk6I8B1wBysNpJ7bUTqqr2qrdoPv9pba7W5oMPLN2Enm-VvW-zLx2FfZOtO9Wwxw-axJ7Whp_6NOeO0EFoyaWA/s1600/DSC06369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARU5hdJ2Qto7oPfDxCTVAQsDGkdEKKZT4iQIYSL9L9HQPu9vwVsaxIMk6I8B1wBysNpJ7bUTqqr2qrdoPv9pba7W5oMPLN2Enm-VvW-zLx2FfZOtO9Wwxw-axJ7Whp_6NOeO0EFoyaWA/s400/DSC06369.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>7lb 1oz, 19.5in</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDbmWZGIizZnBq2N2CfCSG33F8q6P9xLBXbN5_9m9vl1mr7OAcEFIQHJKTxerYGuipjxxtngV7H9dTgpGoO81hDrf934WX2t2AieoEuoidfScWBKNpsdlDOR_bypt5Uciqfidp1GbjWM/s1600/DSC06335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDbmWZGIizZnBq2N2CfCSG33F8q6P9xLBXbN5_9m9vl1mr7OAcEFIQHJKTxerYGuipjxxtngV7H9dTgpGoO81hDrf934WX2t2AieoEuoidfScWBKNpsdlDOR_bypt5Uciqfidp1GbjWM/s400/DSC06335.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>...beautiful and perfect in every way.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIGrxrcctaY_rVS5XkIlXp4aUauWIAFQSm3VW3ESwFOSarkwUS5LNzL-bExgcYJzOzKwkWV_qYQoATQjCorgyYOnkI9xiPI7m-R2Z460te_D354HrgFzD-hA7vkLZiEX-VOHjFEZPEFo/s1600/DSC06313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIGrxrcctaY_rVS5XkIlXp4aUauWIAFQSm3VW3ESwFOSarkwUS5LNzL-bExgcYJzOzKwkWV_qYQoATQjCorgyYOnkI9xiPI7m-R2Z460te_D354HrgFzD-hA7vkLZiEX-VOHjFEZPEFo/s400/DSC06313.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We're all thrilled she's finally here</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">{None more than mommy and daddy, of course!}</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9yP0F3Ieol2MKA9tP26Zf6Tr_ypaSL7b52mm5elme9QWdxvHL3CecLuTQH1dtlo88RJpKyTSeYvwii3Me0SF6mXb2-AE7NuUGv4xn_mTeAIGSDRxYSrqBr__uY0VBvpV4dPydjAo-to/s1600/DSC06267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9yP0F3Ieol2MKA9tP26Zf6Tr_ypaSL7b52mm5elme9QWdxvHL3CecLuTQH1dtlo88RJpKyTSeYvwii3Me0SF6mXb2-AE7NuUGv4xn_mTeAIGSDRxYSrqBr__uY0VBvpV4dPydjAo-to/s400/DSC06267.jpg" width="300" /></span></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I have to say... I am quite the proud auntie.</span></i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-71791285987322002182011-05-30T13:04:00.001-05:002011-05-30T13:04:54.823-05:00Love & Blessings<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Today we celebrate two wonderful years of marriage...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe9XfG6-Bh2m-7FJMdTd42UVSiTsGacDKQ3kWbHKTXamDuGJLue6G9h6vuSgQbtezALw2val7AxLDkpr5rhm5bFQzefKC4_H7kkauUdyrhXr0d2GEoelHaHlwXdK4pLVyMUZH3vJSvF0/s1600/Off+Site+%252830%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe9XfG6-Bh2m-7FJMdTd42UVSiTsGacDKQ3kWbHKTXamDuGJLue6G9h6vuSgQbtezALw2val7AxLDkpr5rhm5bFQzefKC4_H7kkauUdyrhXr0d2GEoelHaHlwXdK4pLVyMUZH3vJSvF0/s400/Off+Site+%252830%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I know... we're still rookies. ;)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>We spent this past week in Joplin, Mo working with relief efforts there {more on that later} and I must say that in light of such loss and devastation, I find myself particularly thankful for the blessings in my life. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqCSJyolE9Gn-Uh1ReLKeL7bpuK1DPrJJZkJVvSScHhuAJpq5z43aa8nR_Rudn9d6ALdXHg9KbU71Zr_FeNXENp0C7zy5D7jX7tYuQvqiD9EVR1tfdgqI0hEkskgHH2cNoqK1-_UU9i0/s1600/Ceremony+%252838%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqCSJyolE9Gn-Uh1ReLKeL7bpuK1DPrJJZkJVvSScHhuAJpq5z43aa8nR_Rudn9d6ALdXHg9KbU71Zr_FeNXENp0C7zy5D7jX7tYuQvqiD9EVR1tfdgqI0hEkskgHH2cNoqK1-_UU9i0/s400/Ceremony+%252838%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>My loving, hardworking, God-fearing husband would certainly rank at the top of that list of blessings.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>He loves me at my best and my worst, puts up with my silly antics {even plays along sometimes} and constantly strives to lead our family toward Christ.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxibmnnx0ibwlJyd0KwaISLrR3Gp8FNzzjycVzp6nBuMfdhWO94KrcZXNhZZL_82E0A4RehxKqWgptzjeTCeTAIHZ_q921kSou1zDim4lsDZZ_lGZmjpNIx7H1Qo7dZ7NDuUcdgqGcv90/s1600/Reception+%252843%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxibmnnx0ibwlJyd0KwaISLrR3Gp8FNzzjycVzp6nBuMfdhWO94KrcZXNhZZL_82E0A4RehxKqWgptzjeTCeTAIHZ_q921kSou1zDim4lsDZZ_lGZmjpNIx7H1Qo7dZ7NDuUcdgqGcv90/s400/Reception+%252843%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Our first two years have seen great joys along with great sadness, but in it all the Lord has been faithful and we count ourselves blessed.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn0K4fwWJu4GOQ6hR_Vju1ii84Ya7yREXMtzQd53CHUa2uiQMCHSZOmpp-JuM2rNWRI2HGloHVXklJBWs_TJBfTiW7AXJBIAl4a-41QAbZm5dPsQnVAB9FP-BnWowU6MQsLqw7IuWClY/s1600/Off+Site+%252832%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn0K4fwWJu4GOQ6hR_Vju1ii84Ya7yREXMtzQd53CHUa2uiQMCHSZOmpp-JuM2rNWRI2HGloHVXklJBWs_TJBfTiW7AXJBIAl4a-41QAbZm5dPsQnVAB9FP-BnWowU6MQsLqw7IuWClY/s400/Off+Site+%252832%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>You're my favorite... ;)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Happy Anniversary, Baby.</i></span></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-32286519566480220652011-05-16T22:14:00.001-05:002011-05-16T22:14:59.425-05:00Painting Phase 1: Conquering the Main Level<div style="text-align: center;">From the day we bought this house I have been <b>so</b> anxious to paint it!<br />
...and when I say "it" I mean EVERY surface.<br />
<br />
This is because the previous owners <i>loooved</i> green...<br />
<i>everything</i> is green. <br />
The exterior is mint green, the interior main level is a greenish grey, the stairwell is a taupey green and the landing and upstairs bedrooms are some light minty/celeryish shade of green...<br />
I've never been a green hater.<br />
...but needless to say, I've found myself avoiding green paint swatches at all costs.<br />
<br />
Anyways... along the way we've had a few set backs, but are happily blessed to finally have the availability and resources to slap some new colors on these walls!<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here we go...</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
I couldn't find any before pictures other than those from when we bought the house a few years ago... so here is a rather vacant look at the old color:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's not terrible... but it's just dull... and not me.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7R4dkUCnfQQbme8EyRyk4wVq59pRZ6rez6Nfz0-X8FaPg9MC8-F035q1ahbnilNLYgekb9t6B7vHBqX8TMJnO5F1uncn_f3qT-ApdxGXyf3PinlVnMyb4y9egZnPVU30mXhHjaFKRJ4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7R4dkUCnfQQbme8EyRyk4wVq59pRZ6rez6Nfz0-X8FaPg9MC8-F035q1ahbnilNLYgekb9t6B7vHBqX8TMJnO5F1uncn_f3qT-ApdxGXyf3PinlVnMyb4y9egZnPVU30mXhHjaFKRJ4/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVYgzl6ZPCF0SSvlohMEEHS8tzLYg0zTcfVpnFMizj_6VcwIeDW9DgEukkR4SGAftd9nxSvdfrZQHTwRqAFYvx0dyMbBgtSkUSq4tIvgoNKJ-gm6dHXWYcXo-rAKknvDJWOjP1Ecy2IQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVYgzl6ZPCF0SSvlohMEEHS8tzLYg0zTcfVpnFMizj_6VcwIeDW9DgEukkR4SGAftd9nxSvdfrZQHTwRqAFYvx0dyMbBgtSkUSq4tIvgoNKJ-gm6dHXWYcXo-rAKknvDJWOjP1Ecy2IQ/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Many have told me they thought I was crazy for this until they saw for themselves... but when you live in this kitchen, you discover that this greenish grayish color on the walls 1) makes the kitchen feel very dark and 2) makes it glow orange like <b>crazy</b>.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The paint color is really just a contributor to the glow issue. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The real problem there is that the builder of our home was a builder, not a decorator, and unaware that when putting in wood cabinets and wood floors you're <b>not</b> supposed to match the wood stains or the color becomes overwhelming... especially with this bright honey tone.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYdrjJiG8VdBS_w-q2De_lmYWYg7LBHJZaPjEBEFb5GA37YXDUt_0ZSBoZAvng_DXQQaZrGc9StIPcl7APSGu5I-ieOgxIZ-p5RvbUohHQ87aAZZoI4dNfjpLTGYeS_wP0HwBt3rg7Io/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYdrjJiG8VdBS_w-q2De_lmYWYg7LBHJZaPjEBEFb5GA37YXDUt_0ZSBoZAvng_DXQQaZrGc9StIPcl7APSGu5I-ieOgxIZ-p5RvbUohHQ87aAZZoI4dNfjpLTGYeS_wP0HwBt3rg7Io/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Well my "natural wood look" fanatic of a husband swore I wouldn't be allowed to paint these cabinets over his cold, dead body.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>{Which is a shame because they would be lovely painted in a nice eggshell with some glazed distressing}</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Plan B. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I then said, "Okay, but that means you let me paint whatever I want in here to tone down the orange glow." To my surprise, he happily complied. =)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I chose a pale yellow called </i><i>"Spice Delight" {Olympic} for the entry, living room, dining room, stairwell and upstairs landing.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mark's grandma young helped me decide that a robin's egg blue from the color palette I was leaning toward would be great in the kitchen to help tone down the cabinets... but finding the right shade was tricky. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So with many "nope, not the right shade" samples splattered on the walls, we set forth with a deadline to conquer the yellow walls and put the blue on hold. =)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The process begins! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we're patching the last few cracks and holes and beginning the first coat!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3K_FxH2kYbDnokBzoFhGCdjftXXhKMqTrxb5tytfjff2z7SKDSE3sLRyH6sUJuLEfCITpp7l2tc3yUu2BOwvo2srM0mlx3o5AdHupLMOdS1hLXt3Ar3_bjF0BenbZnci_1wEUUFqsu4/s1600/DSC05391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3K_FxH2kYbDnokBzoFhGCdjftXXhKMqTrxb5tytfjff2z7SKDSE3sLRyH6sUJuLEfCITpp7l2tc3yUu2BOwvo2srM0mlx3o5AdHupLMOdS1hLXt3Ar3_bjF0BenbZnci_1wEUUFqsu4/s400/DSC05391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We had a great {and unexpected} team of </i><i>volunteer </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>painters to help with the first coat of spice delight! =)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsm_WThBV0vxU2d25rMDkYWHv5AVSgrRB5kzThXnGJ917_BvwFRvDT13rlX2B5zpa9Yu369rt17cB1GTshRJQX56WvU2aor3qAPNbQI4NWwPmNsqTMkkAv4oSzoCaexFnrPZFBg6WfjM/s1600/DSC05402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsm_WThBV0vxU2d25rMDkYWHv5AVSgrRB5kzThXnGJ917_BvwFRvDT13rlX2B5zpa9Yu369rt17cB1GTshRJQX56WvU2aor3qAPNbQI4NWwPmNsqTMkkAv4oSzoCaexFnrPZFBg6WfjM/s400/DSC05402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUlOfC64WSfV6zuafTwpJSKI18_8wGmjClSIibphAYeUIP6aZcKzm-17T7lUjCi68epyXo-nMGBJVAo7OH4_uC2SUBvISzRbVIG9tLMDrOZ2ncDYOoAo45MbM5BQS7MfJOcRQmSIxSVE/s1600/DSC05415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUlOfC64WSfV6zuafTwpJSKI18_8wGmjClSIibphAYeUIP6aZcKzm-17T7lUjCi68epyXo-nMGBJVAo7OH4_uC2SUBvISzRbVIG9tLMDrOZ2ncDYOoAo45MbM5BQS7MfJOcRQmSIxSVE/s400/DSC05415.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;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Looking brighter already!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUlOfC64WSfV6zuafTwpJSKI18_8wGmjClSIibphAYeUIP6aZcKzm-17T7lUjCi68epyXo-nMGBJVAo7OH4_uC2SUBvISzRbVIG9tLMDrOZ2ncDYOoAo45MbM5BQS7MfJOcRQmSIxSVE/s1600/DSC05415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg207rEk-9DWIOd5p5C7HzA9d2LBzXjn2-934r9AcAvHSVQbNQEkhmWMLjDTFHLUuaOUboVFboGaB483zH7o8uJE-qrh8y9Pd6gzy6fBfLI-70HgodulEHY2aYUNo0WiclGLYriJF38yfQ/s1600/DSC05410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg207rEk-9DWIOd5p5C7HzA9d2LBzXjn2-934r9AcAvHSVQbNQEkhmWMLjDTFHLUuaOUboVFboGaB483zH7o8uJE-qrh8y9Pd6gzy6fBfLI-70HgodulEHY2aYUNo0WiclGLYriJF38yfQ/s400/DSC05410.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>...and every great team needs a great supervisor! ;)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zzqfaaOXibeT6b2DGnG0cwb4a9zhNlbJoy8lmqs9NFcWiq-iL8vQOkjjSJEuMNqDR6kQ8R8PBELfL00JLzm3V_CbNN7ZEYYGnPeL9d71N5Ud_5PMxHe0ccTU2wxDANJkiMEshDRWpu0/s1600/DSC05401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zzqfaaOXibeT6b2DGnG0cwb4a9zhNlbJoy8lmqs9NFcWiq-iL8vQOkjjSJEuMNqDR6kQ8R8PBELfL00JLzm3V_CbNN7ZEYYGnPeL9d71N5Ud_5PMxHe0ccTU2wxDANJkiMEshDRWpu0/s400/DSC05401.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The hubs and myself worked hard that weekend. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We even stayed up until midnight on a school/work night to finish the final coat of spice delight and for those who know me, you know that's quite a sacrifice! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had originally thought that with our busy schedules it would take a few weeks to tackle three coats on all of the "spice delight" walls... but we were surprised and thrilled to finish in one weekend. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This, of course, meant that it was time to get serious about a decision on the blue. The next day I brought home three more samples {for a total of 7 samples of different shades of robin's egg blue} and finally found one I <i>love</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what do we do when we finish a painting project ahead of schedule... relax? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah right, push ourselves to finish the next job by the same deadline!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{The deadline was that I was hosting my sister's baby shower in less than two weeks from the time we started the first yellow coat. I had originally said that getting the yellow done was enough... then I added the blue... then I added the doors too! Ha! But it all got done with time to spare!}</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Time for the reveal...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In one short week the entire main level was done... and I am in love!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFolXtdNWQAhF2Z5VYbNPXX9H8SlWL5xCtqTC01PYOGSfJlJUYWv1E7tBmt3gRNKPiRLetKBoOgwd_aE13JcE_7_fy8aFgBZblCnaaPwjHcIddNchxLHeHYwXWDiarrmnGa16tBwgSlY/s1600/DSC05657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFolXtdNWQAhF2Z5VYbNPXX9H8SlWL5xCtqTC01PYOGSfJlJUYWv1E7tBmt3gRNKPiRLetKBoOgwd_aE13JcE_7_fy8aFgBZblCnaaPwjHcIddNchxLHeHYwXWDiarrmnGa16tBwgSlY/s400/DSC05657.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">As you see, none of our decor was rehung at the time of the pictures, but that's in progress now.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Note that the purple chairs are the ones to be recovered with the material featured in posts </span><a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2011/05/101-in-1001-update.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> and </span><a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2011/04/chair-fabric.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> and the rug is hopefully soon to be replaced with a similarly sized/shaped brown low shag... I can't wait to get that puppy in here. Then the room will </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">really</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> start coming together!</span></i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I <b>love</b> the bright, sunny feel!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtbvs_banRy7vve9UcHO-wzIESTr0f9Xa1AsinBiBvLpid2bWAxw2ChZvkUI3-XQCxmPW9O_XdUE27AlyCZ-hoP3-Hjdf2G-TSiSeyPHJpsUu0rezjt9s10oVC4jjY9AP31yPJdL_GWM/s1600/DSC05678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtbvs_banRy7vve9UcHO-wzIESTr0f9Xa1AsinBiBvLpid2bWAxw2ChZvkUI3-XQCxmPW9O_XdUE27AlyCZ-hoP3-Hjdf2G-TSiSeyPHJpsUu0rezjt9s10oVC4jjY9AP31yPJdL_GWM/s400/DSC05678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>We have a <b>lot</b> of windows on this level and I finally feel like my walls aren't swallowing the light! Ahhh... so airy and fresh. =)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBoewF4lVG80OhZtQp-EOEMQVS016faTft4tnLxOq118jNADJ-N_0hX9UyxCCnahvxIDzSPNpSXRltVE03RHDifQ1r4P5JS8ee8kcl6X6eDfLXkZ1yjzx1Isqb2Ad2dU8Bk60OkfPhRQ/s1600/DSC05676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBoewF4lVG80OhZtQp-EOEMQVS016faTft4tnLxOq118jNADJ-N_0hX9UyxCCnahvxIDzSPNpSXRltVE03RHDifQ1r4P5JS8ee8kcl6X6eDfLXkZ1yjzx1Isqb2Ad2dU8Bk60OkfPhRQ/s400/DSC05676.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>Finding the right shade of robin's egg blue I wanted was hard... really, really hard. But I'm glad I persisted... I </i><b><i>love</i></b><i> the contrast of the "spice delight" and "seascape" and I </i><b><i>LOVE</i></b><i> the "seascape" against the cabinets!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak68vh71qOS-RnCCDz1ZV3sZLzUJiwEUclvwojTYGjWyDgyBWKC3aIJ3G3ZIZj_ft1VrQcWAj-j4ABwdS_UcvVD918I6ILyz4XYIn59eappnoTntvBln5huzkGS7URxvPT_n6eR3rA9g/s1600/DSC05668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak68vh71qOS-RnCCDz1ZV3sZLzUJiwEUclvwojTYGjWyDgyBWKC3aIJ3G3ZIZj_ft1VrQcWAj-j4ABwdS_UcvVD918I6ILyz4XYIn59eappnoTntvBln5huzkGS7URxvPT_n6eR3rA9g/s400/DSC05668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>{The photo above shows the more accurate shade of what the color looks like in the kitchen, the others seem to wash it out a bit, making it appear lighter with more blue tone and less green than it actually is.}</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The orange glow is much diffused, yay!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA-QZEn_lQw8KntnaSyJ3vWmIunRJfNhsOAa5tjYmLjfIFoT3QK-I6Xnb7q3rZSe8bgK5j8OmUY9ulqylMSyYdgHTewVmb4vM4LUzEfflRv_emjmxNlRNcDPcKYkpNPeWAv2lLmbSxPw/s1600/DSC05681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA-QZEn_lQw8KntnaSyJ3vWmIunRJfNhsOAa5tjYmLjfIFoT3QK-I6Xnb7q3rZSe8bgK5j8OmUY9ulqylMSyYdgHTewVmb4vM4LUzEfflRv_emjmxNlRNcDPcKYkpNPeWAv2lLmbSxPw/s400/DSC05681.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>{PS, my hubby did also agree to change out those nasty laminate countertops which will also make a huge impact! It's amazing the lengths that man will go to in order to save his wood cabinets! tee hee hee}</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Love it</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBMeH7zxQJj1OiswLRwQi3ef0KEhodRUTplca-EICutFPjgg4rKbXBQ7uIVw6CwDj3YaYmdESSTjNuauoUDYXWJKrZnO5wkx26ZxCSEGKzdPxmrn0nek8N6tKuRmaSWM0Q8lgRcW4-eU/s1600/DSC05682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBMeH7zxQJj1OiswLRwQi3ef0KEhodRUTplca-EICutFPjgg4rKbXBQ7uIVw6CwDj3YaYmdESSTjNuauoUDYXWJKrZnO5wkx26ZxCSEGKzdPxmrn0nek8N6tKuRmaSWM0Q8lgRcW4-eU/s400/DSC05682.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;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I already have window treatments picked out, just have to scrounge up the money to go get them. I've also begun hanging some things back on the walls this week and can't wait to collect some plates to paint and set up on top of the cabinets! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sure I'll share many more pictures as our home continues to come together. It's been a long wait, but I feel it will be worth while! =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's so fun to see decorating visions starting to take life!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-90850242582229550722011-05-13T16:54:00.001-05:002011-05-13T16:57:47.591-05:00101 in 1001 Update<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*~*~* Day 117 of 1001 *~*~*</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>...and going strong...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The following list is compiled of things that </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I have 100% accomplished!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Practice piano regularly for one month</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>March 7, 2011 - April 21, 2011 </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jurylaw.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/09/piano_flickr_383788580_d37b667a48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://jurylaw.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/09/piano_flickr_383788580_d37b667a48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I hadn't even thought when I put this goal on my list that student teaching would be the perfect enabler to accomplish it! I've been student teaching at the high school for about six weeks now {thus practicing every day} and can already see a vast improvement in my piano skills. It's amazing what a little practice time will do!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">11. Graduate with my BME</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>May 7, 2011</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8oz1K-tE5qmtLf0xEkOR_JDBn3hNCeLg2BfcC09g2uvwKhgCYuKqKAHgOvnaWlYnQ-yLCim3OnCtsI36VFG6ivAtoCAqlHBeBKEd3owUcKJy3YmySUe9oeonZUzF_JHzGolQsaEbgUY/s1600/DSC05540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8oz1K-tE5qmtLf0xEkOR_JDBn3hNCeLg2BfcC09g2uvwKhgCYuKqKAHgOvnaWlYnQ-yLCim3OnCtsI36VFG6ivAtoCAqlHBeBKEd3owUcKJy3YmySUe9oeonZUzF_JHzGolQsaEbgUY/s400/DSC05540.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>After six years {including the year off in Texas} and lots of hard work, I've finally done it!</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Holla.</i></div></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">53. Start a garden</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>May 8, 2011</i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXyxz_B_ZXYMPnXgQqu_9IQH6YrxLAKvLVK_uBkv8B23N9jyKRwqHpA0owT5XRL-V4NKI1XwRek16hDWF5hlSothyTcHkIm-yJxV7Dyh52rsmUV93-SfmlVjiuyCjq1Q2_v5C158c1rc/s1600/DSC05559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXyxz_B_ZXYMPnXgQqu_9IQH6YrxLAKvLVK_uBkv8B23N9jyKRwqHpA0owT5XRL-V4NKI1XwRek16hDWF5hlSothyTcHkIm-yJxV7Dyh52rsmUV93-SfmlVjiuyCjq1Q2_v5C158c1rc/s200/DSC05559.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5O0zlhJQBfltyhjSUR7TieCi25b67xSefjNF9XSdmAB_dUedTi0LM1m8UAdANCEPd6vC4kWERyez1SbrfDWjVF2WRHHYDUUMKopFEZ3fehOkfDErG-wXIUV-zb74Pqt6VGTu0bcr0KE/s1600/DSC05554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5O0zlhJQBfltyhjSUR7TieCi25b67xSefjNF9XSdmAB_dUedTi0LM1m8UAdANCEPd6vC4kWERyez1SbrfDWjVF2WRHHYDUUMKopFEZ3fehOkfDErG-wXIUV-zb74Pqt6VGTu0bcr0KE/s200/DSC05554.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Last weekend my hubby put the plants in the ground! I've felt like I almost cheated on this goal though because form the planting to the watering {save one time} to the building of the garden area and putting them in the ground... it's all been my hubby! But I get to enjoy the spoils... =)</i></div></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">57. Invite someone new over for dinner</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>March 2011</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://visitshoremagazine.com/2/wp-content/themes/mimbo2.2/images/dinner_party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://visitshoremagazine.com/2/wp-content/themes/mimbo2.2/images/dinner_party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Some dear friends of ours, the Edlin's, joined us for dinner several weeks ago. Unfortunately I can't remember the exact date and I forgot to take a picture! {Lame} But it was a great time. We ate, talked and played speed scrabble!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">78. Step up to serve in a ministry role</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">March 13, 2011</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://newbeginningschurch.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Front_page_log011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://newbeginningschurch.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Front_page_log011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>The roles my husband and I have stepped into at our church were actually the last thing I expected when I wrote this goal. I had thought more along the lines of leading a small group or jumping in to serve with a team somewhere. Goes to show how God surprises us. Our church has been without a worship pater for about a year and a half now and while several different people had stepped in temporarily, the weekend of March 13th Mark and I became the next "gap fillers" as you could call us. We have been serving as "interim worship leaders" at our home church since then. Certainly unexpected, but we are happy to assist in filling gaps where we are needed in order hopefully help serve and grow our church family and community.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">86. Give a random gift</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>April 16, 2011</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://organizerightnow.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/opening-gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://organizerightnow.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/opening-gift.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I didn't realize until going through my list just now that I'd actually "fulfilled" this goal. I don't really wish to elaborate on this one, as that seems kind of awkward. But I'd simply say that I responded to the prompting of the Spirit to take care of a need for a dear friend of mine in order to help lighten her load, even if only a little. =) PS, if you've never given an unplanned gift, you should. It's a wonderful blessing to both the giver and the recipient.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The following list is compiled of things that I have began, but are not yet complete:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">4. Grow my hair out again</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRqFcpsESmJr-061zB5YrF-oSJU9iKr2OGu-ian7vFeUCcgCXVrhSUIIiYOEF8DVb2VxTsIrHqDtNb1gtI75wWLIN2Mvgb7msY4N9IVEuyB12xNXhkEb1Kbl4_dtndtQBfOsx3aOvECQ/s1600/Pic+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRqFcpsESmJr-061zB5YrF-oSJU9iKr2OGu-ian7vFeUCcgCXVrhSUIIiYOEF8DVb2VxTsIrHqDtNb1gtI75wWLIN2Mvgb7msY4N9IVEuyB12xNXhkEb1Kbl4_dtndtQBfOsx3aOvECQ/s200/Pic+028.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlE70zBBf1j5iTcj3C4PXhBMPPiLI7sEi2gdkAs0voyhyVKMA9Fr48AS3PQ-otpDcvZaDwpu-LkebZdo4OgKiKLXEtCXVChcjz4SRD6P2OtLZNbq0kgXjlk693hy8IoluuwPo1OrPuHTg/s1600/DSC05428_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlE70zBBf1j5iTcj3C4PXhBMPPiLI7sEi2gdkAs0voyhyVKMA9Fr48AS3PQ-otpDcvZaDwpu-LkebZdo4OgKiKLXEtCXVChcjz4SRD6P2OtLZNbq0kgXjlk693hy8IoluuwPo1OrPuHTg/s200/DSC05428_2.jpg" width="133" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>This will obviously be in progress for a while... but look at how long it's getting!</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">13. Get Skylar fully potty trained</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB22tqXBcBBscmOGBWGgJoYEG2g_VvWEhtLM5qV1fAfhcyaw57ecXd1Ra847WwxjtSuvIPZvIvYdgpxgcjzLkQ7MEs1g4-EV4XdTw94gwVPBtPK4Ev8djW6aFfw8Fs5lKFQN_8wiFjFHY/s1600/DSC04957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB22tqXBcBBscmOGBWGgJoYEG2g_VvWEhtLM5qV1fAfhcyaw57ecXd1Ra847WwxjtSuvIPZvIvYdgpxgcjzLkQ7MEs1g4-EV4XdTw94gwVPBtPK4Ev8djW6aFfw8Fs5lKFQN_8wiFjFHY/s320/DSC04957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>In the past 96 days we have progressed from Skylar having accidents about three times a week to approximately one accident every two-three weeks. We decided to start leaving him out of his kennel when we left for short trips (1-2 hours) to see how he did. He was great. This week we tested leaving him out for the full day while we were at work/school on both Wednesday and Thursday and he was perfect! Yay for progress... we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{For those of you who might not know or remember, we are breaking a five year habit of pottying whenever, wherever he wanted. To see Skylar's story and how we inherited him, click <a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2010/07/final-gift-to-our-family.html">here</a>.}</span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">42. Plan a surprise for Mark</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.gigcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/gift-box-question-mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://blog.gigcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/gift-box-question-mark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>The surprise is planned. He knows it's coming and he knows it's a birthday gift, but other than that he is clueless... and that's how I like it. =D I'll reveal it to you under the "completed" list after it has been revealed to him!</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">51. Paint the interior of our home</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxGpbZVW6W3LgwizlW00c_Ui4v4y_N-voebd_XD-_wi8uzae8DRapUHhfQTw2G-vVAb4qgci1PkXimQ31peveymkZCUraQ5M8bQCwEgjQpm4N53hK5ybJhvNr2nnW34PrDZIEjITS5I4/s1600/DSC05668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxGpbZVW6W3LgwizlW00c_Ui4v4y_N-voebd_XD-_wi8uzae8DRapUHhfQTw2G-vVAb4qgci1PkXimQ31peveymkZCUraQ5M8bQCwEgjQpm4N53hK5ybJhvNr2nnW34PrDZIEjITS5I4/s400/DSC05668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Paint is on the walls, my friends!!! The main level of our home is completely painted as well as the stairwell and upstairs landing. All that remains are the two bedrooms and upstairs bathroom and the basement. Can't wait to reveal the completed project!</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">60. Reupholster our garage sale furniture</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28d016w7hvmLGejzK6GxkYhCYqI_2qNIqT92srwiXRmAnuLEG2Xw9KX9vYpFl3Rd0lYfEUeNya0_zeRmbEYaRPPq5qDQTBwNV4SvKk2PHMb8GzmfIzZ4rx57h5i5F96Ag2B-DOeiwbLQ/s1600/DSC05690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28d016w7hvmLGejzK6GxkYhCYqI_2qNIqT92srwiXRmAnuLEG2Xw9KX9vYpFl3Rd0lYfEUeNya0_zeRmbEYaRPPq5qDQTBwNV4SvKk2PHMb8GzmfIzZ4rx57h5i5F96Ag2B-DOeiwbLQ/s400/DSC05690.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>On the Monday of spring break, my mom-in-law, two sister-in-laws and myself made a trip to some super affordable fabric stores down in Springfield where I found fabric to cover three of our four reupholstery projects. The fabric I needed the largest amount of had to be back ordered and arrived a few weeks ago... Here I've draped and and tucked it into the chair to try to see what it would look like with our freshly painted walls! It is lurvely. =) </i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>And there you have it folks, progress.</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now let's look at how how I'm really standing here...</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Day 117 of 1001 means we are just about 12% of the way progressed toward my deadline.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With a total of 12 completed goals and 10 goals that are an average of 50% complete, I'm about 17% of the way through my goals... which puts me right on track and even a bit ahead of schedule!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's been so fun to track my goals and progress this way... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You should try it! =D</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you would like to check out the original "101 in 1001" post you can click </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2011/01/101-in-1001.html">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. I'll be updating it with completion dates and links to update posts {such as this one} as I go.</span></span></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-63670200340568231322011-05-12T13:06:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:35:40.280-05:00Measured Words<div style="text-align: center;">Once, when I was a naive young girl, roaming the halls of high school, I was talking to my friends about a girl we knew behind her back. She walked up behind me and I was caught. I can't even describe how horrible that felt inside. It was an unpleasant experience for myself, the girl and my friends. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lesson learned.</i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Six years of life experience later, and I've experienced plenty of similar situations to that above, only I now tend to stand in the other girl's shoes. And guess what, being an adult doesn't make those situations any more pleasant than they were in high school.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">But why, as adults, do we still play these games? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Often, as adults, we say the same vicious things about others behind their backs... the same things we call "ruthless" when we hear about it happening in schools. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Does anyone realize this? </div><div style="text-align: center;">So when will we learn to grow up? </div><div style="text-align: center;">...to rise above? </div><div style="text-align: center;">...to speak love?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...or, heaven forbid, to address a concern directly with the person </div><div style="text-align: center;">instead of spreading it publicly or inappropriately.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes people say mean things and they fail to consider the repercussions of who they're speaking with, where they voice or display these words and how it might feel to the subject of these mean words should they every find their way back to him or her.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>A wise rabbit {Thumper's Mother} once said,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."</i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>A simple concept that proves incredibly difficult to live by.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"What would it be like, if we learned to love each other? What would it be like if we lived like we believe that everybody matters. Because we're all here together and we all need each other to make it through this life. What would it be like?"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~Salvador~</i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-33642030288352562682011-05-09T22:01:00.000-05:002011-05-09T22:01:29.859-05:00arm flapping and choral conducting<div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow is my last "unofficial" day at the high school I've been student teaching at.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Allow me to explain.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My last "official" day was on the 29th because I had to turn in all my paper work for my class... and graduate this past Saturday which was joyous.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But my last "unofficial" day is tomorrow because I've been hanging around until the final concert which brings me to my point...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tomorrow evening will be the official choral conducting debut of my career as a music educator.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm pumped... and nervous.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will probably be shaking...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>my hands...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>my knees...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">it may be difficult to follow my cues...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but we'll get through.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And when it's all said and done I'll be able to say that I had a greatly talented mentoring teacher and an incredible group of students to use as guinea pigs for my first conducting experience in the art of musical arm flapping.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It will be great... and then I will have my last official "visit" the next day... </div><div style="text-align: center;">on donut day... </div><div style="text-align: center;">to celebrate. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Wish me luck!</b></span></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-78350540016975946022011-05-07T18:37:00.000-05:002011-05-07T18:37:27.143-05:00Grad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oTG1DGWRwjyQ7mOMD7pF3_3z_Hj2uPOLbYa2zCwMF_W2pp90GeZrpmvQfANHFpZWmYe83pgiykSYoxiiwuDsmhDLqfrIr4VJ_VoHfD8z3bEssGY77YnQ-B2yPTw9XwrXmRy6nFYat_0/s1600/DSC05494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oTG1DGWRwjyQ7mOMD7pF3_3z_Hj2uPOLbYa2zCwMF_W2pp90GeZrpmvQfANHFpZWmYe83pgiykSYoxiiwuDsmhDLqfrIr4VJ_VoHfD8z3bEssGY77YnQ-B2yPTw9XwrXmRy6nFYat_0/s400/DSC05494.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am now an official alumnus of the UMKC Conservatory.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOued9llwfSAnnqwvz0fQKZtwhYc1r30UzjFkUyTih5JOw43lAWwre110Zj9oeIGiUmExyiWET72VuNc2aFq59H8iR8te6nNGaJNkqJe9xLS8i073qEAhbiELHNwv-VP1OepUogKN0O8/s1600/DSC05496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOued9llwfSAnnqwvz0fQKZtwhYc1r30UzjFkUyTih5JOw43lAWwre110Zj9oeIGiUmExyiWET72VuNc2aFq59H8iR8te6nNGaJNkqJe9xLS8i073qEAhbiELHNwv-VP1OepUogKN0O8/s400/DSC05496.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I {we} have been waiting for this moment for a <i>long</i> time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6G2P8mN1x1V7nSrbsHukQomsx9Su3Wh10LeHwFq8kt2qC98IqIwugEZ2fxndFcoA0RT_UoKtY19m7v3VmS2WZDoXRjY9Vvlh8_QViI_2xkbV0q3SbjK4gfYHQmrbPJpaNq86Eyfbh7k/s1600/DSC05501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6G2P8mN1x1V7nSrbsHukQomsx9Su3Wh10LeHwFq8kt2qC98IqIwugEZ2fxndFcoA0RT_UoKtY19m7v3VmS2WZDoXRjY9Vvlh8_QViI_2xkbV0q3SbjK4gfYHQmrbPJpaNq86Eyfbh7k/s400/DSC05501.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks to all those who were there to support me along the way...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...friends who stressed and conquered with me...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzFLrZ4oY9UmEr1wt_XtqgWyYJ7flGcL-bRxBjcHAOeVAZMxw6FQLmck_uDWCb1Cc-wFVqrCjAhQiqBtExY7FDKyQajdUWP1v-rnSSk0MRN3e7J6mrW2XmNAweoO1NdChjfy-HE9xxbY/s1600/DSC05518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzFLrZ4oY9UmEr1wt_XtqgWyYJ7flGcL-bRxBjcHAOeVAZMxw6FQLmck_uDWCb1Cc-wFVqrCjAhQiqBtExY7FDKyQajdUWP1v-rnSSk0MRN3e7J6mrW2XmNAweoO1NdChjfy-HE9xxbY/s400/DSC05518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...professors who stretched and challenged me...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3KDQUunD6GudzH5-1n5hR7LRix2a0XSWh73oSvu22VlMNK0DV2cDPCglLkaog-eg5B-wYjzSD54yq4y9PEIKxt9CDvbQ_kNUf156vysv2EzUTy4Ax9-_npuKal9dlNOFCaYiXVw9QPk/s1600/DSC05509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3KDQUunD6GudzH5-1n5hR7LRix2a0XSWh73oSvu22VlMNK0DV2cDPCglLkaog-eg5B-wYjzSD54yq4y9PEIKxt9CDvbQ_kNUf156vysv2EzUTy4Ax9-_npuKal9dlNOFCaYiXVw9QPk/s400/DSC05509.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc6jJTw85eP5is_YZyOzavdLIFIGAakDPfF317fKMR1khS3sCnIbmw4IjlJKWD2gdaMghiT8OuufBR3DWldWY7eOefr1fsvlhXUbMBf3q0kDPuwsvMq7WlYZ50HUDSkZzzdZVuMtDS-M/s1600/DSC05510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc6jJTw85eP5is_YZyOzavdLIFIGAakDPfF317fKMR1khS3sCnIbmw4IjlJKWD2gdaMghiT8OuufBR3DWldWY7eOefr1fsvlhXUbMBf3q0kDPuwsvMq7WlYZ50HUDSkZzzdZVuMtDS-M/s400/DSC05510.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...family who encouraged and believed in me...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G2dsSFrGYVegVnRCzMaFbkyr9ojVtLEEpMlkP2ZPjy7xDGIE19NiZ70E6WbUcez1-WIE8-BWEmfyYq6t4EKUL4WSpg_Ci2tDkX6wMkZ41E5oKXAqnlv9Lt2LZ_nlKkoZRDHV7JhuMFQ/s1600/DSC05538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G2dsSFrGYVegVnRCzMaFbkyr9ojVtLEEpMlkP2ZPjy7xDGIE19NiZ70E6WbUcez1-WIE8-BWEmfyYq6t4EKUL4WSpg_Ci2tDkX6wMkZ41E5oKXAqnlv9Lt2LZ_nlKkoZRDHV7JhuMFQ/s400/DSC05538.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruHmZz_4tJkTquKDIXMkFJAuig5UcO8GXfWrIPmjhff7AxZ94ouA4kNszB_K5CiGjenZjpfh9yhz3i9vzXPQcpGO5lGbqRNKLac5lqlYbhk6aFf8YqQUN9Exe0pIT60Akw8geRcvV-tI/s1600/DSC05544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruHmZz_4tJkTquKDIXMkFJAuig5UcO8GXfWrIPmjhff7AxZ94ouA4kNszB_K5CiGjenZjpfh9yhz3i9vzXPQcpGO5lGbqRNKLac5lqlYbhk6aFf8YqQUN9Exe0pIT60Akw8geRcvV-tI/s400/DSC05544.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and a wonderful husband who listened to hours of worrisome whining, wiped countless tears of frustration and spoke endless words of love and encouragement...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa3Rb8rg8dQR-m71fACtKf3K87U1qAMmPs5L3mSSqYomxnzt_uoiY9IEP2xaiGlj2laYt-11pfumGmuKV-szKxGP8ocaJBzqjyWb0SIimznkDSqcaeYyD5WXVf1dVkSMTc50sVhrOhjU/s1600/DSC05550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa3Rb8rg8dQR-m71fACtKf3K87U1qAMmPs5L3mSSqYomxnzt_uoiY9IEP2xaiGlj2laYt-11pfumGmuKV-szKxGP8ocaJBzqjyWb0SIimznkDSqcaeYyD5WXVf1dVkSMTc50sVhrOhjU/s400/DSC05550.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The day of celebration for all of that hard work has arrived...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FlEZDZBVIUMiXcCyD4jWdfgBZf-q5go2GAQcE5Cvj4oDPIxRvY2SdmqY7ATaR3zz9aKsaaA8vfIpzgUcHJWYyigK5ZEi1bB90Z7ID1PPDO5rEnYDPcjlqQ1zkEU01crVWc4d0pdf0rQ/s1600/DSC05540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FlEZDZBVIUMiXcCyD4jWdfgBZf-q5go2GAQcE5Cvj4oDPIxRvY2SdmqY7ATaR3zz9aKsaaA8vfIpzgUcHJWYyigK5ZEi1bB90Z7ID1PPDO5rEnYDPcjlqQ1zkEU01crVWc4d0pdf0rQ/s400/DSC05540.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and I will make no attempt to contain my excitement!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxEQAbVON1iYnZP9lXxMKEWyYY5Xpv2ouAOytYf6H1re2YbQjhL0ONa4HOHgBEpzj0Wooymw27PVJgvlOqSTeJUgTRP3kBNr7A7BoNgl-sKXlwxGIUK4r6VjH-hXWoRTuQTj53EZTQRs/s1600/DSC05549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxEQAbVON1iYnZP9lXxMKEWyYY5Xpv2ouAOytYf6H1re2YbQjhL0ONa4HOHgBEpzj0Wooymw27PVJgvlOqSTeJUgTRP3kBNr7A7BoNgl-sKXlwxGIUK4r6VjH-hXWoRTuQTj53EZTQRs/s400/DSC05549.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-8318096726379128842011-05-05T17:10:00.000-05:002011-05-05T17:10:09.342-05:00Angie<div style="text-align: center;">Today my sister, Angie, underwent her second brain surgery in a fight to kick cancer's butt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few years ago she was first diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain tumor (which I can neither pronounce nor spell) and stage 3 cancer. For those unfamiliar with cancer, it is usually discussed in stages of severity ranging from 1-4.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A new growth was recently discovered and so at approximately 7:30 this morning, she was put under anesthesia as her surgeon prepared to remove this second mass from her brain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Needless to say, it was a bit of a long day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Surgery went well. Very well.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Probably as wonderful as could possibly be wished or imagined.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Dr. said he was able to remove everything he was hoping to and the whole procedure was finished in just a few hours, which was much faster than we had been anticipating.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even once she was awake in the ICU room, Ang was much more interactive and responsive than she had been after her previous surgery. We joked and laughed a bit... it was good to see her so strong.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One minor concern was that she had been unable to move her right foot after waking and though the Dr. wasn't concerned, the surgery had taken place right next to the motor skills portion of her brain which can leave room for some anxiety on the matter. However, praise the Lord, I was just told a few moments ago that she is moving her legs and doing great. Her brain was just in a bit of a tizzy -- needed some time to be remember what it was supposed to do with those extremities. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Things are going great and looking up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sure there's still quite a long road to travel as she continues to battle any remaining cells that are tumorous/cancerous, but praise be to our Heavenly Father that He has brought her this far safely. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To Him be the glory.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Please say a prayer for Angie, her recovery and continuing battle, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>if you think of her as you go about this next week.</i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-10537751371505956382011-04-22T09:23:00.003-05:002011-04-22T10:47:45.960-05:00Job Hunting, Home Remodling & Graduation, Oh My!<div style="text-align: center;">Thaaat's pretty much my life!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and 99% of the reason you haven't seen me on HERE in a while. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But I sure have missed blog land.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, readers, you would not <i>believe</i> some of the transformation that's been taking place in our home since we've last talked!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our main level (dining room, living room, entry, stairwell and upstairs landing) are all painted with "Spice Delight" now (a pale yellow), we have the beginnings of our garden growing on a table under the window in the guest bedroom and the rock wall to form our garden was built in the back yard by my hubby (with the unexpected help from my cousin-in-law, Ryan) a couple of weekends back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The fabric I showed you here has arrived and I picked that up this week, along with the paint to do our kitchen (Seascape, aka: robin's egg blue) and the interior sides of our exterior doors as well as an accent wall at the top of our stairs (English Saddle, aka: mocha brown). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wednesday I began work on a new project/gift for my soon-to-arrive niece, Baby Kinley Reece. I can't wait to show it to you, but that will have to wait until after the shower next weekend, lest the surprise be ruined! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh yes, did I mention that in the midst of our painting and home renovations I'm hosting a shower for my sister next weekend? I realize this must sound insane to some of you... but I'm looking at it as a way to give myself a painting deadline... and boy has it helped to kick me in gear! I don't regret it one bit... so far. ;) Juuust kidding. I truly am a person in need of a deadline to get me moving, so this was the perfect excuse.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Speaking of deadlines...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I (we) have accomplished a few and are nearing the accomplishment of a few more items from my "101 in 1001" list! I'll be posting an update soon! =)</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-29463234089592816492011-04-11T21:46:00.000-05:002011-04-11T21:46:55.594-05:00Chair Fabric<div style="text-align: center;">The fabric to reupholster our $5 garage sale, super comf chairs is in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vgXdNgz4Jh0FxdnjHlhid1behEM0HUKDKDyJyYePZkn07W9GjJUo8_bSwFpG61AiF568Zb2nF7kJsb2oOF-oUJTKpO1LkxkRUba0p36IpynUYwjaeIlT-MymyMyV5Q5rDKXLTBKL6L0/s1600/Photo0585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vgXdNgz4Jh0FxdnjHlhid1behEM0HUKDKDyJyYePZkn07W9GjJUo8_bSwFpG61AiF568Zb2nF7kJsb2oOF-oUJTKpO1LkxkRUba0p36IpynUYwjaeIlT-MymyMyV5Q5rDKXLTBKL6L0/s400/Photo0585.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;">A coral/salmon color close to that fabric is going to be used as an accent color so this was me making sure it looked cute together... I like. =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The walls have their first coat of "spice delight" as of yesterday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also my super amazing hubs built the stone wall for our garden in the backyard this weekend. Shout out to my awesome (and well timed) cousin-in-law, Ryan, who showed up to help!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's like our long awaited dreams and plans for our home are beginning to take shape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very exciting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-21207732709701639022011-03-26T13:33:00.000-05:002011-03-26T13:33:35.651-05:00I've not posted in forever<div style="text-align: center;">Life is crazy, what's new?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well I should confess that I've decided that pushing myself to run a 5K in five weeks was a bit much for me. I will, of course, still do it... just not on April 9th. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm loving student teaching at the high school... I mean LOVING it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Granted, so far I've just been helping with solos and ensembles since we're in contest season... I start teaching "my" pieces in another week.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm super pumped and also a bit anxious... I'm sure I'll learn a lot. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And on that note, I've got to go make some adjustments to a unit plan I start teaching this next week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ciao!</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-7167735191037710342011-03-10T18:41:00.000-06:002011-03-10T18:41:07.072-06:00Day 4 of 5k Training<div style="text-align: center;">...and I thought I was going to die.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was super pumped after our first run on Tuesday. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was only a 10 minute run, but I was fully convinced that running 5 minutes was an incredibly painful challenge for me, so when the timer rounded the 10 minute mark and I felt like I could have kept going, I couldn't believe it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday was a walk day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today was the second run day...</div><div style="text-align: center;">this time for 15 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Still hanging on my excitement from Tuesday I believed the time bump would be a challenge, but not nearly as bad as I had originally anticipated.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">WRONG.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I sincerely barely made it... my legs felt like they were going to collapse beneath me! If my hubbers hadn't been running with me for encouragement and accountability, I probably would have quit early.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pro: I made it. I ran the 15 minutes, even if it was awful.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Con: The misery of it has left me considering whether or not running this 5k in less than a month is actually doable for me or if I'm pushing myself too hard, too fast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So readers, are any of you avid runners? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Do you have any encouragement? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Advice?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow is a walk day, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday rest...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday... a 2 mile run.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Aye-aye, yeeshkah.</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-79705748486169622011-03-07T20:18:00.000-06:002011-03-07T20:18:12.116-06:00Back to School<div style="text-align: center;">Today was my first day student teaching at the high school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the people I'm working with and the students in the classes; it's going to be a great rest of the semester. I have no doubts that I will be challenged over and over, learn a ton and then learn about what I still need to learn! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...but I'm excited.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can only hope the folks over there are half as excited to work with me as I am to be working with them. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let the fumbles, stumbles and learning begin!</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-50932087847214925112011-03-04T13:31:00.001-06:002011-03-04T13:37:56.951-06:00101 in 1001 Update<div style="text-align: center;">I promised I'd be checking in and so, here I am! =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*~*Day 47 of 1001</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> *~*</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So far the following has been accomplished...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> 33. Pay off Mark's Loans</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">January 30, 2011</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.mybanktracker.com/bank-news/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/student_loans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://static.mybanktracker.com/bank-news/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/student_loans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mark's return bonus came in from our time in Texas and we were able to make one big final payment -- Praise the Lord!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">44. Establish a family calendar</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">January 18, 2011</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTf700jtJSP2S3p7x-BIDa6ejzgPkhpBpYwk5foqwdZc4barl-ufIPxk8AKWx-DWJTJwnDqyY0KVOi4kdpSc4YnuJXnKZi53imTG3bvXZZRjgv0nv8mimMXALjeqL1A2yQEZ0qUBZgvM/s1600/DSC05174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTf700jtJSP2S3p7x-BIDa6ejzgPkhpBpYwk5foqwdZc4barl-ufIPxk8AKWx-DWJTJwnDqyY0KVOi4kdpSc4YnuJXnKZi53imTG3bvXZZRjgv0nv8mimMXALjeqL1A2yQEZ0qUBZgvM/s400/DSC05174.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mom gave us a calendar for Christmas (tradition) so I sat down and filled it with birthdays and our regular schedules so that we can both more successfully keep track what's going on in our life together. Yay organization!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">45. Complete 'vows' project</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>February 14, 2011</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdCWLFbxQTlZtHvlOMbuYFFBMz0ZDv7FXaVfSmuX5j_PX-uJZKnOzfPUivPjpSBA88uAqxejW29Vjg11Kspjf6Ho-b7LxTohcxEOpVUbg2L2V3bEJ0xPShQ1c6AoKO1r3TG-xl40igWY/s1600/DSC05106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdCWLFbxQTlZtHvlOMbuYFFBMz0ZDv7FXaVfSmuX5j_PX-uJZKnOzfPUivPjpSBA88uAqxejW29Vjg11Kspjf6Ho-b7LxTohcxEOpVUbg2L2V3bEJ0xPShQ1c6AoKO1r3TG-xl40igWY/s400/DSC05106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>While I was sick in bed with the plague, I was motivated to finish editing our photos and put this project together just in time to give to my hubby for Valentine's Day. Ultimately I want to put them in custom 8x10 frames with a mat, but this is going to make due until we have extra money floating around to make that happen. =)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">48. Groom our dogs at home</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">January 23, 2011</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExbaaX_ZJBUiJE7o-upyxAn3W7EkLGONHfy2nxatm-KTeyWJakG2jQFUWMBIZfG64aWhGvz-bOTpPXiS4WCpzox3-1-PaZoKpawD3w5__7vq5LuIpg2MCE3TgTrlTG3mFoV6vTT9klCk/s1600/DSC04962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExbaaX_ZJBUiJE7o-upyxAn3W7EkLGONHfy2nxatm-KTeyWJakG2jQFUWMBIZfG64aWhGvz-bOTpPXiS4WCpzox3-1-PaZoKpawD3w5__7vq5LuIpg2MCE3TgTrlTG3mFoV6vTT9klCk/s400/DSC04962.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This was less scary than I thought! I did cut a few nails into the quick on Skylar, for which I felt horrible about and spent the evening coddling him to make up for it. But all in all, I thought his hair cut {which I was most nervous about} turned out adorable!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">69. Get the house rekeyed</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">February 9, 2011</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://f33.yahoofs.com/mapann/1000/sr_cb98f9995902c9.jpg?lc_____DJgAdyxVp" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For an affordable $170 </i><a href="http://www.lockdoctorls.com/"><i>The Lock Doctor</i></a><i> put all eight of our door locks back on one key {as opposed to 5 separate keys -- praise the Lord!}, even fixed the lock on our storm door and adjusted our strike plate so we don't have to body slam the front door to close it anymore. =D The Lock Doctor comes highly recommended from the Young household!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">91. Make chicken and dumplings</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">January 18, 2011</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2004/03/12/pa1b19_chicken_dumplings_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2004/03/12/pa1b19_chicken_dumplings_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Okay, </i><a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2011/01/not-even-close-definitely-no-cigar.html"><i>they weren't good</i></a><i>, but I made them. This item is going to remain in the 'take another swing at it if time allows' pile. ;)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...and the following are works in progress...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9. Make a T-shirt quilt from GAL shirts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcygxRGTEvnn1OmIL4Fesasse5VIhfhE8aWZNSCLzNW3tPQYUBT3rYstWEAiws8a6ebHeqa2rOB_pC9ZY0abcTj6_W97Qbc4LAabjms62jqIU7vb5m4MiViznQlKJ9Ravz-iw2XERVMc/s1600/DSC04936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcygxRGTEvnn1OmIL4Fesasse5VIhfhE8aWZNSCLzNW3tPQYUBT3rYstWEAiws8a6ebHeqa2rOB_pC9ZY0abcTj6_W97Qbc4LAabjms62jqIU7vb5m4MiViznQlKJ9Ravz-iw2XERVMc/s400/DSC04936.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I've got all of my shirts cut to size, filler/backing material and thread purchased. Now I've just got to get brave enough to start sewing! {I'm nervous about having my quilt turn out crooked.}</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">24. Complete 5 crafts in my "Whit's Projects" folder</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRGTdqjQRpUIN3qUgejpDVFAtgxx6rWunXYq9VIkHyxNkcEyiE9zlp3qXiD6_iraTQ71zWmnaPEzuigjUK9ubBQGg1kJ1Jp8BxqNQbLDhq6UgQe0DGG2Afi0Q-93DSkDozlwTFMDnkT8/s1600/DSC05182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRGTdqjQRpUIN3qUgejpDVFAtgxx6rWunXYq9VIkHyxNkcEyiE9zlp3qXiD6_iraTQ71zWmnaPEzuigjUK9ubBQGg1kJ1Jp8BxqNQbLDhq6UgQe0DGG2Afi0Q-93DSkDozlwTFMDnkT8/s200/DSC05182.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVDaQICV-NLCHkFRfWRpBID7YOm1k3qbvTkMp3KSO67lNLu7hxFn1FMgad5V5HWKMuk8O6Ui1pFmwhrFBweVEMmvTgMOnBFYxj2Ip_31W-72ByHn-xhcwZAwcZZTTx99Z9jfEqIKaoew/s1600/DSC05186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVDaQICV-NLCHkFRfWRpBID7YOm1k3qbvTkMp3KSO67lNLu7hxFn1FMgad5V5HWKMuk8O6Ui1pFmwhrFBweVEMmvTgMOnBFYxj2Ip_31W-72ByHn-xhcwZAwcZZTTx99Z9jfEqIKaoew/s200/DSC05186.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I have completed my first two projects of five. The first was ribbon covered baby clips. I gave these to my dear friend <a href="http://lifeasahamm.wordpress.com/">Britney</a> for her little Piglet who is due any day now! The second was making sweater wrist warmers, which I am in love with.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">25. Complete a 5k</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sca-eagleegg5k.com/_img/5kSCA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="http://www.sca-eagleegg5k.com/_img/5kSCA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I am signed up for a race on April 9th and started training today. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Here is the <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/images/cma/beginner5k_table.jpg">training schedule</a> I'm following.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">51. Paint the interior of our home</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfGL-ZChlC1yhFQ135vTURGMJRbb7DmDCdIiwG8gMAvMsRTyg27qQyc0Eop9P3n3OJSbALVk8_CN4TqurOBVUmHboczUs5NPMhOR-0rC8Epav1W8R4K3vZORR4hf2F1N-1QdveHSY7g8/s1600/DSC05144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfGL-ZChlC1yhFQ135vTURGMJRbb7DmDCdIiwG8gMAvMsRTyg27qQyc0Eop9P3n3OJSbALVk8_CN4TqurOBVUmHboczUs5NPMhOR-0rC8Epav1W8R4K3vZORR4hf2F1N-1QdveHSY7g8/s400/DSC05144.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Paint samples and supplies are purchased and we're gearing up! I am still wrestling with finding the correct shade for a "robin's egg blue" ...I'm sure you'll see a post on that soon. ;)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">55. Complete our landscaping project</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30juLjMXkYWsp9mwQW9NthkJIFc3ic1yKih-7Y_0XdYdsD_6MNC3J86Bo04a3tns1B7gjvFP5KOsde54M-0HiSm3hLOeOCWcYhJ20cyOoAsm8xi3UZIRe2Ci3AOxEZBKehuWahizivVY/s1600/DSC04931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30juLjMXkYWsp9mwQW9NthkJIFc3ic1yKih-7Y_0XdYdsD_6MNC3J86Bo04a3tns1B7gjvFP5KOsde54M-0HiSm3hLOeOCWcYhJ20cyOoAsm8xi3UZIRe2Ci3AOxEZBKehuWahizivVY/s400/DSC04931.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Back in January we ran back and forth with three truck/trailer loads of FREE landscaping rock from a friend who wanted to get rid of theirs. Praise the Lord for free provision! Now we wait for warmer weather to start digging trenches where we will build our natural rock wall.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">62. Put pictures in all our empty frames</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDI7GPM3GxiIihKJ7wlushSm1J6YkdVBymVW_aA5xtViG0aGP4hgfpIT8GldsVzdBWnXTaB6oJQkf5zmqlu-Ce8PzWm_0mNxzLAb2mDo-0hbgOJpPUhQl9G_W8YSqyGCljIzl8ksQZtY/s1600/DSC05178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDI7GPM3GxiIihKJ7wlushSm1J6YkdVBymVW_aA5xtViG0aGP4hgfpIT8GldsVzdBWnXTaB6oJQkf5zmqlu-Ce8PzWm_0mNxzLAb2mDo-0hbgOJpPUhQl9G_W8YSqyGCljIzl8ksQZtY/s400/DSC05178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I decided to work one room at a time with this and, again while sick with the plague, printed off some cute pictures to fill the frames in our bedroom first. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">66. Create a gift-wrapping/crafting organization station</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJn1aFMq-gnRJSnyQlYLBNy2kiCmVeedWLFYkkc8FBOcBmLm3bsdDl1sEgljbvYuKRs4N5Iv_pWMjESbFDmi8JQOzvK4xRhZk2Qp-kAQ6ZwPIf-3MI9gpndJrdbUMs9fIOvi6R0ISg_Fw/s1600/DSC05185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJn1aFMq-gnRJSnyQlYLBNy2kiCmVeedWLFYkkc8FBOcBmLm3bsdDl1sEgljbvYuKRs4N5Iv_pWMjESbFDmi8JQOzvK4xRhZk2Qp-kAQ6ZwPIf-3MI9gpndJrdbUMs9fIOvi6R0ISg_Fw/s400/DSC05185.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I found this awesome gift wrap organization bag at Big Lots a few weeks back for $3! Yes please. So that area is finally contained and just the other day I had a few brilliant ideas for the crafting organization... it will be happening soon!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And that's what I've been up to lately!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Already I'm so surprised by how much I've accomplished and how many of the items in progress are coming along so quickly! This is definitely a fun way to keep track and stay motivated...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you would like to check out the original "101 in 1001" post you can click <a href="http://markandwhitneyyoung.blogspot.com/2011/01/101-in-1001.html">here</a>. I'll be updating it with completion dates and links to update posts {such as this one} as I go.</div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-54288392699449712862011-03-03T20:58:00.001-06:002011-03-03T21:00:08.668-06:00Chicken Quesadilla Salad<div style="text-align: center;">Some have requested the recipe for my chicken quesadilla salad so lucky you, I've decided to share! ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My initial motivation to pursue this tasty meal stemmed from my all-time favorite salad at Chili's: The Quesadilla Explosion Salad.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was craving this fav salad of mine for dinner one night while we were in Texas, an hour away from the nearest Chili's and too cheap to pay to eat out even if it had been in our back yard. So I started racking my brain for what I could remember in the salad that I loved oh so much... and this is what I created!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients:</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">chicken breast</div><div style="text-align: center;">onion</div><div style="text-align: center;">garlic</div><div style="text-align: center;">salt</div><div style="text-align: center;">pepper</div><div style="text-align: center;">crushed red pepper</div><div style="text-align: center;">garlic salt</div><div style="text-align: center;">corn</div><div style="text-align: center;">bell peppers</div><div style="text-align: center;">beans of choice</div><div style="text-align: center;">cilantro</div><div style="text-align: center;">lettuce</div><div style="text-align: center;">shredded cheddar cheese</div><div style="text-align: center;">sour cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">vinaigrette salad dressing</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/taco-seasoning-i/Detail.aspx">taco seasoning</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">tortilla strips</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know, seems like a long ingredient list, but it's truly a simple and tasty meal to prepare!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Instructions:</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dice chicken (bite size), onion and garlic and saute in skillet. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper and garlic salt. When chicken is cooked through, reduce heat to simmer and add corn, bell peppers (diced) and beans (I'm not a bean fan, but I added it to the recipe because there are beans on my fav salad at Chili's so, you know, if you're a bean person...). Let simmer until veggies are tender.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>{Portions and chicken:veggie ratio is really up to what you prefer... if you like more chicken or more veggies... whatever!}</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, mix 2-3 tablespoons (or to taste preference) <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/taco-seasoning-i/Detail.aspx">taco seasoning</a> into vinaigrette salad dressing. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>{I've tried a few different options and my absolute favorite dressing to use for this is Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette}</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Top shredded lettuce with chicken & veggies then add toppings as desired <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{cheese, sour cream, dressing, tortilla strips}</span></i>... Slice a c<a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/cheese-quesadillas/Detail.aspx">heese quesadilla</a> into fourths and lay them around the sides of the salad.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Enjoy!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">PS, </span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">My hubby's grandma has the most amazing recipe for taco seasoning which is what I use, but I can't find the recipe card right now so I linked a rather generic taco seasoning recipe that I've also used before -- it's still good, just not as good as grandma's, of course. ;) If there are any specific requests for it, I can post it separately another time.</span></span></i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-2076638959650991942011-02-28T20:37:00.003-06:002011-02-28T20:56:12.248-06:00Once upon a Saturday...<div style="text-align: center;">So I mentioned that Saturday was a super fabulous day, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I want to show you why!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First of all, <i>a little background knowledge...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You see, when we bought our home in December of 2008 I was SO excited to pick out paint colors and get to work, but life seems to have thrown us one curve ball after another. First, our stack of Lowe's giftcards from our wedding were stolen out of my vehicle. Then we moved to Texas and all nesting was delayed for another year. Well we're finally back but I've had a hay-day trying to choose my colors!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A couple of weeks ago hubs and I headed off to the farm to visit his Grandma and Grandpa Young. I took with me a Better Homes and Gardens magazine (which I later found out my hubby's <i>other</i> grandmother, Meema, signed me up for, YAY!) Well while Mark was borrowing his grandpa's welding equipment, grandma and I sat inside discussing paint colors... and she helped me make my decision!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the basic color pallet I ended up deciding on for the main level of the house...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlftNq4Ris26IgQ0H-h8TA-RykGr-60Xzrjjz1K4WQmCkVN6xoRqKWX1mfmvymOy09fNKPIyEHHG0buNJPrSUTCKAF57Tpq4h5Zp5x5t2xBc_7q_hip_9uKhNcXl3n4ZIjtM7aL2wxV8E/s1600/DSC05141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlftNq4Ris26IgQ0H-h8TA-RykGr-60Xzrjjz1K4WQmCkVN6xoRqKWX1mfmvymOy09fNKPIyEHHG0buNJPrSUTCKAF57Tpq4h5Zp5x5t2xBc_7q_hip_9uKhNcXl3n4ZIjtM7aL2wxV8E/s400/DSC05141.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>{Substitute the "Robin's Egg" blue </i><i>shade shown in the picture of the wall to the right in place of the </i><i>"Jamaican Aqua."}</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">The "Robin's Egg" blue is going to go in the kitchen and across the back wall of our house which spans into the dining room. The light yellow/cream color is for the rest of the main level, stairway and landing on the second floor. The other colors pictured, plus a few extra rich tones, will be implemented through accessories such as throws, curtains, pillows, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And this "Safari Beige" is what I am painting the interior of the front/back/garage doors as well as an accent wall at the top of our stairs where I hope to hang a beautiful piece of artwork<i> {yet to be found}</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHKuDgbNf3tZ0qGTyNccE149M_sxXUBwW76JYGkSR3Fc7O6YLS-VAo3l7-tqmQ4JR90FIxuvsBK7I8QjtTqc-dA33mf6g5x-kW9ha4t7IMXhqRUZwwNivmsppSZrkinjyxGE1FPvCeHY/s1600/DSC05142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHKuDgbNf3tZ0qGTyNccE149M_sxXUBwW76JYGkSR3Fc7O6YLS-VAo3l7-tqmQ4JR90FIxuvsBK7I8QjtTqc-dA33mf6g5x-kW9ha4t7IMXhqRUZwwNivmsppSZrkinjyxGE1FPvCeHY/s400/DSC05142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">fast forward back to</span> Saturday.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In some discussion about what to do with our day, my wonderful husband suggested an impromptu trip to Lowe's to pick up some paint supplies and samples of the colors I've finally settled on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Yippee!!!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstHFZ7Hs1sXHfAtK0f5K3IVIA_De1hVaJH09zqNSXkZmtY7wN1dHb6KW07VLxl8jcd-tVlsqtTKkGJ9HF3Sf-FGXllh-3chT5bwBRAHnxsmaE6qkCwPcaDq5IjIF7n3lVaUJDGhDeRNs/s1600/DSC05144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstHFZ7Hs1sXHfAtK0f5K3IVIA_De1hVaJH09zqNSXkZmtY7wN1dHb6KW07VLxl8jcd-tVlsqtTKkGJ9HF3Sf-FGXllh-3chT5bwBRAHnxsmaE6qkCwPcaDq5IjIF7n3lVaUJDGhDeRNs/s400/DSC05144.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Based on the color of the cards I'm pretty sure the front three are the swatches I want. But I grabbed a back up cream and blue for samples just in case. We'll see if these match what I have in mind and then go from there...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Due to a rather eventful remainder of the weekend, we've not yet streaked our walls with these beautiful colors, but it sounds like tomorrow is the day and I am pumped!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">{I'm sure I'll be posting pictures.}</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So at this point I am in painting, decorating and nesting heaven, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then my hubby suggests we take a walk to the newly opened <a href="http://www.habitat.org/restores/">ReStore</a> by our home. I wasn't nearly as pumped about this as I had been about the paint chip trip, but he's been bugging me since the store opened to go check it out. Besides, I too was curious enough about what kinds of deals we might find there. So we donned our coats and headed out on a walk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We'd only been in the store maybe 15 minutes when I spotted the triple dresser of my dreams and these beauties to match it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa0_Fgm9gSW9DwFBpDj-t2g6vJ_W7q3IaLc2ErY8c8pj81e7gLoOHA0ZyVbqsxeGbVXDybWSm8nsq9t2r97Q-E2ITRUjQb04Pj57UZOqQAtAbCsCBc3DRYpl-BXcSdfg_8s3ayfXxsQU/s1600/Photo0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa0_Fgm9gSW9DwFBpDj-t2g6vJ_W7q3IaLc2ErY8c8pj81e7gLoOHA0ZyVbqsxeGbVXDybWSm8nsq9t2r97Q-E2ITRUjQb04Pj57UZOqQAtAbCsCBc3DRYpl-BXcSdfg_8s3ayfXxsQU/s200/Photo0564.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJSMOhAoI6bgvfuF2pbDJWwU_JdbJFt8XhOnPLV1EakkCMeOly4qtDE0ea_P6YCLz8qr_prkBcuVefKeYXjUJetJPizeBTHtYBSsixgKlik6N3tUjfEtQfPoIMs_SKEJl8q8-0bjDqa4/s1600/Photo0563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJSMOhAoI6bgvfuF2pbDJWwU_JdbJFt8XhOnPLV1EakkCMeOly4qtDE0ea_P6YCLz8qr_prkBcuVefKeYXjUJetJPizeBTHtYBSsixgKlik6N3tUjfEtQfPoIMs_SKEJl8q8-0bjDqa4/s200/Photo0563.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Excuse the poor quality pictures, these were taken with my phone.}</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Solid oak; the dresser and armoire were $60 a piece and the nightstands $20 a piece bringing the grand total to $160 for the lot of 'em.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After several minutes of deliberation and a picture text/phone call to my mother for another woman's opinion <i>{though I LOVE ornate furniture, I'm actually quite the weenie about diving into it myself} </i>I finally convinced myself that this is the furniture I've been scouring craigslist in search of for <i>months</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We bought it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">An hour later the moving party arrived {thanks mom, dad & sara!} and our new furniture came home!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A bit of TLC...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFTOXAJ0szRGU5wW6XxEy4B_jFAGkaf40gxTVtKWiHNeLAAAIN4rmc39nuV2sw796vTJuj1YN0V-ZRm0k6APsEJsSr7RYvlviJ1RkWGxG8SGXMv1ITh7BP2I6hGnPyxIF5tk6kU7hRls/s1600/DSC05146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFTOXAJ0szRGU5wW6XxEy4B_jFAGkaf40gxTVtKWiHNeLAAAIN4rmc39nuV2sw796vTJuj1YN0V-ZRm0k6APsEJsSr7RYvlviJ1RkWGxG8SGXMv1ITh7BP2I6hGnPyxIF5tk6kU7hRls/s400/DSC05146.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>...and three containers of disinfecting wipes later...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0t0OzPOimI6PZwFoTuOEo9woKxhPB94rPV9KlmDutsMrFmuSgg_xz_bBHO14TPAW9WwkQTm4ultwXFFBQd_zguWPK3DqMAAZW7-riyq81e9b9rbxkYHx-FDh0fOR2v3Jz65yyA9BuSk/s1600/DSC05148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0t0OzPOimI6PZwFoTuOEo9woKxhPB94rPV9KlmDutsMrFmuSgg_xz_bBHO14TPAW9WwkQTm4ultwXFFBQd_zguWPK3DqMAAZW7-riyq81e9b9rbxkYHx-FDh0fOR2v3Jz65yyA9BuSk/s200/DSC05148.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...and Voila!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KvC8c7QoT9NP-BDzdC2f0zIEu08ifTYzXFEyzgbR8H4MCqaz3nnEhOWaaJGkwnFOY-o3HXBHa7Tvbr8nMPk5-HKAwG4qJqoaKUzEUiCF9piIFb_5Wo_avMoG6vOhlh6LnI0Iy6tNlYs/s1600/DSC05160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KvC8c7QoT9NP-BDzdC2f0zIEu08ifTYzXFEyzgbR8H4MCqaz3nnEhOWaaJGkwnFOY-o3HXBHa7Tvbr8nMPk5-HKAwG4qJqoaKUzEUiCF9piIFb_5Wo_avMoG6vOhlh6LnI0Iy6tNlYs/s400/DSC05160.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The hubs loves the beautiful armoire and quickly claimed it as his own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKOaa4y4KZ1h_rM8xco5IJ-RvixLz2SDVa6m_LzdsGCqzCG1sxrjm0mowDu-HTJJxJ-AJdxYSe4SHhXNIwHnFccjZfVOY2kPKXcU9CbxsZyfJZDFeJDGFMEedwga43Vgy30Nssv98TSU/s1600/DSC05161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKOaa4y4KZ1h_rM8xco5IJ-RvixLz2SDVa6m_LzdsGCqzCG1sxrjm0mowDu-HTJJxJ-AJdxYSe4SHhXNIwHnFccjZfVOY2kPKXcU9CbxsZyfJZDFeJDGFMEedwga43Vgy30Nssv98TSU/s400/DSC05161.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Which was fine by me...<br />
because I am<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> in love</span></span> with this beautiful piece...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhg32oDd03kDre1deSxj3EsUZhvDajy9_bRmzlBXKWkjrmcqZMl6vNYK3hSLPHlCy4o5NwUizaUuFOeiGkr7uFRtKWuyjaVtZCGnBqLehPzNz8r3rOzqONawC7p86YVjzBfym1hRx7zM/s1600/DSC05152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhg32oDd03kDre1deSxj3EsUZhvDajy9_bRmzlBXKWkjrmcqZMl6vNYK3hSLPHlCy4o5NwUizaUuFOeiGkr7uFRtKWuyjaVtZCGnBqLehPzNz8r3rOzqONawC7p86YVjzBfym1hRx7zM/s400/DSC05152.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and I have claimed this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">gorgeous</span></span> triple dresser as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my</span></span> very own. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtvw-EkbQj9QKXY_yJ_ecjGpPBtpAilRFsv_fZayeZqqmjV-QXxhC0AAqFMu3lTLVg4_44MNCuW9MYA0W-cWsxjPtJE-FlqaLYKDmg39tq_sF7iRuJ8ADGVMNzDcoSIUwZWE3hVCgLXA/s1600/DSC05157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtvw-EkbQj9QKXY_yJ_ecjGpPBtpAilRFsv_fZayeZqqmjV-QXxhC0AAqFMu3lTLVg4_44MNCuW9MYA0W-cWsxjPtJE-FlqaLYKDmg39tq_sF7iRuJ8ADGVMNzDcoSIUwZWE3hVCgLXA/s400/DSC05157.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The night stands won't be finding a home in our bedroom as they're rather bulky and our room isn't too terribly big. We're certain we'll use them somewhere though and for $20 a pop, what a deal!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">TLC yet to be given</span></span> will include a fresh coat of paint <i>{the previous owners appear to have rather hastily coated the set with black spray paint...}</i>, a little sanding around the edges and "antique-ifying" as well as finding new hardware and a really, <i>really</i> large mirror to sit atop the triple dresser.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can visualize the finished product and I can't wait!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm thinking a cream paint with a rich brown glaze... </i><br />
<i>Opinions?</i><br />
<i>Suggestions?</i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-53997401551930425922011-02-26T22:29:00.000-06:002011-02-26T22:29:20.564-06:00Today was a super fabulous day.<div style="text-align: center;">My Saturday started out directionless. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to my loving and spontaneous hubs, it turned out <i>awesome</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We made trips to Lowe's and the ReStore and scored some major finds at both places!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have progress pictures coming soon and more explanation in the future {like future tomorrow}, but for now, I just really need to sleep. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be sleeping peacefully with visions of taping, painting and antiquing dancing in my head!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>PS, I feel it is necessary to emphasize at this moment that my hubby is quite the catch. I love him so dearly and am so blessed that he loves me dearly as well -- so much that he gives up a Saturday tinkering in his garage to nurture my long suppressed nesting compulsions. =D</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thanks, babe.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Xoxoxo</i></div>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767161242185542739.post-13529178385446392022011-02-24T17:51:00.001-06:002011-02-24T17:51:46.684-06:00A good "rainy day" post...<div style="text-align: center;">It's a dreary day outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure "rainy" {in the title} is fitting as it's been hopping between rain, sleet and snow all day, so we'll just leave it at dreary.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well it's been a few days so I figure it's time for a new post.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I get these great ideas for posts that I get really excited about and spend an hour or two thinking through, editing photos and putting together... other times {like now} a random idea just pops into my head and I like it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, I've decided to tell you some tid bits about myself...<br />
and since it's always more fun with pictures... =)</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNjuLAAL3ax0JXa_WfkMRWWyMrrVf6-YA2sbSG6uOyTTqHDyf9IWW9ZsZutwNRC4RpJNXY6nCnTbd8H2HGN_qf7IeyIdbt4MboqeQN2jlg0F1aLoSOPv6s_pYPr7ejtzIHA0p3mC-T6M/s1600/DSC04971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNjuLAAL3ax0JXa_WfkMRWWyMrrVf6-YA2sbSG6uOyTTqHDyf9IWW9ZsZutwNRC4RpJNXY6nCnTbd8H2HGN_qf7IeyIdbt4MboqeQN2jlg0F1aLoSOPv6s_pYPr7ejtzIHA0p3mC-T6M/s400/DSC04971.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I just bought my first Coach purse... and clearly I love it.</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoT1L2O11TG9FSrg3deLaMtrw_tYHK5vWtu0zjWsAIws8ybDaZPgJ3xaf6m4qtO_6uLvG9ek8K-z_-52yfLRDT4_h2hyphenhyphenDRZvuBi3joWVGfDdH4BfVmKG8nj7xgUG2UdXRa1FZynsx80M/s1600/Ballet+Flats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoT1L2O11TG9FSrg3deLaMtrw_tYHK5vWtu0zjWsAIws8ybDaZPgJ3xaf6m4qtO_6uLvG9ek8K-z_-52yfLRDT4_h2hyphenhyphenDRZvuBi3joWVGfDdH4BfVmKG8nj7xgUG2UdXRa1FZynsx80M/s400/Ballet+Flats.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll take flats to heels, ANY day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2H0O7EivqcvLTBfYRMpeq27SnQKZ_fFYUpd91Lh-000SaOuQxVVXtUg4jMu06vR0ltlQR_t2-3jnBxq5FmStpP1SGmFBIUAbnn3vt3TedzsqLIbkpqcvoWcYEDIrb-nc1ZZ1cDcAMGNQ/s1600/Beach+Hammock.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2H0O7EivqcvLTBfYRMpeq27SnQKZ_fFYUpd91Lh-000SaOuQxVVXtUg4jMu06vR0ltlQR_t2-3jnBxq5FmStpP1SGmFBIUAbnn3vt3TedzsqLIbkpqcvoWcYEDIrb-nc1ZZ1cDcAMGNQ/s400/Beach+Hammock.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love snow, prefer the beach... by a long shot.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9ww1W0U67RbwGmm1eEarZxg6F6iM4-QjUVZ2VCYngeTunFH4-AwpwZ8wSkd5Y-ka3CV40jcvwgyQBpnKCratUf2CW8EtvkzH3Vpm0X1MaimK7SUITBP0sJt6hWxBnB34aO7MxGSt-Hs/s1600/Berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9ww1W0U67RbwGmm1eEarZxg6F6iM4-QjUVZ2VCYngeTunFH4-AwpwZ8wSkd5Y-ka3CV40jcvwgyQBpnKCratUf2CW8EtvkzH3Vpm0X1MaimK7SUITBP0sJt6hWxBnB34aO7MxGSt-Hs/s400/Berries.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berries are like their own separate food group to me... LOVE them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR2coTdyuJBskEZ4ipkDKaSCP5UKc8FuGfLjBp8sq20U_JJEnaFanFNw-RkIensOmjt9F_OqnYA8v9f6rWIWNEv6vtC92JY7CdebebZqc6aSp48RafnyuBDABpNeI5FpqmCXbNXWuiqY/s1600/Brad+Paisley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR2coTdyuJBskEZ4ipkDKaSCP5UKc8FuGfLjBp8sq20U_JJEnaFanFNw-RkIensOmjt9F_OqnYA8v9f6rWIWNEv6vtC92JY7CdebebZqc6aSp48RafnyuBDABpNeI5FpqmCXbNXWuiqY/s400/Brad+Paisley.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this guy... our wedding was practically themed around him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdtfGwah12tzdUdFbUD8UOvDvT-lLfEUPFsTTo_O7JapdqFNHn4MLbgEEKBlD1oYEJHGfYH0KOEJN7E89OuPONxH253j9orRgscs24hX5GOJ-EBNYKulgzbq1_qFUxS2paMDLx5AR3HU/s1600/Chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdtfGwah12tzdUdFbUD8UOvDvT-lLfEUPFsTTo_O7JapdqFNHn4MLbgEEKBlD1oYEJHGfYH0KOEJN7E89OuPONxH253j9orRgscs24hX5GOJ-EBNYKulgzbq1_qFUxS2paMDLx5AR3HU/s400/Chocolate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have an unhealthy obsession with chocolate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikgrXpegsk-fN5xawxYSF1gg26TWsNNQUIs20dPNwCsC-kIPHK8r3hLhutJW25f414HaDEnv3PHtU78RT1Ortj70SNPeyVf99Vg-7bC3XkpBup-XJvp0LIP4Fpa0XLbRtDAPtG8yGc2A/s1600/DSC04962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikgrXpegsk-fN5xawxYSF1gg26TWsNNQUIs20dPNwCsC-kIPHK8r3hLhutJW25f414HaDEnv3PHtU78RT1Ortj70SNPeyVf99Vg-7bC3XkpBup-XJvp0LIP4Fpa0XLbRtDAPtG8yGc2A/s400/DSC04962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE my babies, Bayley and Skylar, even if they are a pain every now and then. =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GK4D5z4keBlQhEPUymj0AClftVvE1Em89X_0DN8dKQvDy7PtnxWcQjXDJuhAntdAXVCO9P_NoS_n3bJ3h1Nph7NMjYSNTkz-th5ARJ0p2XhS-pxsYAnLCjrN8QJuSh-BXsA7iDD3BrA/s1600/Girls+Spinning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GK4D5z4keBlQhEPUymj0AClftVvE1Em89X_0DN8dKQvDy7PtnxWcQjXDJuhAntdAXVCO9P_NoS_n3bJ3h1Nph7NMjYSNTkz-th5ARJ0p2XhS-pxsYAnLCjrN8QJuSh-BXsA7iDD3BrA/s400/Girls+Spinning.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a good thing my husband is mature, because I'm definitely the child in the relationship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldVADm0BvIYUs6Rnlo221jV1EhiIsBLrnnG4H7g71ur5TIOVzUjX8pHZPLPNCMtD04qmOsk6RYVm7FI41Uh51GjazxFldAarS-9DPiO9wKu4wE2BIvLupYRB9v6FBAelIeo5UEeqI_iI/s1600/Glee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldVADm0BvIYUs6Rnlo221jV1EhiIsBLrnnG4H7g71ur5TIOVzUjX8pHZPLPNCMtD04qmOsk6RYVm7FI41Uh51GjazxFldAarS-9DPiO9wKu4wE2BIvLupYRB9v6FBAelIeo5UEeqI_iI/s400/Glee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love Glee (when it's appropriate) and believe my life would be darn near perfect if we all randomly broke out into song and dance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgXUYY4rOaBS62DvS3XEXOd5aAr6NOBwLMNQCPbziDJ1_hNZbfwyfTnh-vrnKJJqx-VEWH3wmuwGDWOn2SqIDw84l15cWMhG2DOf4yJlGaCB_jo_zn-WiUWTE2EllAUHn8eTxpZnh6r4/s1600/I%2527m+a+mac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgXUYY4rOaBS62DvS3XEXOd5aAr6NOBwLMNQCPbziDJ1_hNZbfwyfTnh-vrnKJJqx-VEWH3wmuwGDWOn2SqIDw84l15cWMhG2DOf4yJlGaCB_jo_zn-WiUWTE2EllAUHn8eTxpZnh6r4/s400/I%2527m+a+mac.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've gone Mac... and I'll never go back. =D</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMIKuGH84tnf2lE2-kd884khXS5bay4haR0szBkYDbiL7aJO40FBqyxRHHW3erEzN98Bt1ky7xj_CnGis1JtE7kyzrdWg3rmorGUgc9GdosNP3aimJCIxtgHuoPI5DKgb_8REpyFfMms/s1600/Taking+Pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMIKuGH84tnf2lE2-kd884khXS5bay4haR0szBkYDbiL7aJO40FBqyxRHHW3erEzN98Bt1ky7xj_CnGis1JtE7kyzrdWg3rmorGUgc9GdosNP3aimJCIxtgHuoPI5DKgb_8REpyFfMms/s400/Taking+Pictures.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love to take pictures. Didn't say I was good at it, but I love it just the same.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbTEMQqhkhKafvW6WpbA844DSegxO4QnVpcJArgm3sU21I4byTh_ptixxHINgWkO9T3Kh3JkWvs882wAGX5s_8v9EReTDg2C_qsnw82q29rnE_Lao0xmJfqdQUjLuFPHqp5q_13EilTw/s1600/The+Roasterie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbTEMQqhkhKafvW6WpbA844DSegxO4QnVpcJArgm3sU21I4byTh_ptixxHINgWkO9T3Kh3JkWvs882wAGX5s_8v9EReTDg2C_qsnw82q29rnE_Lao0xmJfqdQUjLuFPHqp5q_13EilTw/s400/The+Roasterie.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FAV coffee joint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite shows of the moment...</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/human-target.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/human-target.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Human Target</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.pioneerlocal.com/entertainment/Lie-to-Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://blogs.pioneerlocal.com/entertainment/Lie-to-Me.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lie to Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tvovermind.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/lead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tvovermind.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/lead.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.hollywood.com/site/sparks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.hollywood.com/site/sparks.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big fan of Mr. Sparks right now... loving his works and relaxing opportunities to curl up on the couch with some of his writings.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
I guess that's about all for now!<br />
<br />
Also, I'm getting frustrated with the formatting of this blog post... for some reason it's not playing nice. <br />
<br />
So there you have it folks. A bit of random nonsense about myself... and now you know me just a teensy bit better. =)<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy dreary "wintery mix" day... I'm off to curl up with my current novel of Mr. Sparks... <u>True Believer.</u> =)</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Young'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688105523847816413noreply@blogger.com2