tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373841902024-02-07T04:40:15.980-05:00Take a Second GlantzCherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-38866774399207004962014-09-01T23:10:00.003-04:002014-09-01T23:10:22.283-04:00Take a Second Glantz has moved!Dear Readers <i>(assuming there is still more than one)</i>,<br />
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After seven years, <i>Take a Second Glantz</i> has a new home. This blog, which can now be found at <a href="http://secondglantz.com/blog">http://secondglantz.com/blog</a> (you can follow via RSS, email, WordPress, or BlogLovin') will remain the same in content, but it's been redesigned to be part of a larger site that fulfills all my online needs, both personally and professionally. I hope you'll hop on over there, as I already have a new post up for you revealing another tiny - yet life-altering - reason I've been away for so long. I look forward to our continued friendship!<br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-74034862985591557642013-12-18T20:55:00.000-05:002013-12-18T20:55:12.906-05:00Bronzed loveTwelve years ago, I started dating this cutie.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youth and red hair, how I miss you both.</td></tr>
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Four years later, we became man and wife.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was totes excited about it.</td></tr>
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He makes me laugh today just as much as he did then.</div>
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And we continue to celebrate over delicious food, as we did on our honeymoon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My travel agent friend surprised us with a table for two on our cruise.</td></tr>
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Tonight, we celebrated our eight-year <i>(bronze) </i>wedding anniversary with food <i>(hello, honey & bacon cornbread and fancy-pants S'mores)</i>, laughter, and happy smiles.</div>
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I'm grateful for these past eight years and look forward to the next eight years and beyond...<br />
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<a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-42512458056549948452013-12-18T07:23:00.002-05:002013-12-18T07:23:19.442-05:00A Glantz Back - Part 2<i>I'm joining up with <a href="http://thingsicantsay.com/2013/12/review-extravaganza-week-1.html">Shell</a>, who is co-hosting a year-in-review extravaganza, to "Glantz" back at this year's highlights and fill in some of the gaps. You can read Part 1 <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-glantz-back-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
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<b>April</b><br />
It was four months into the year before I really started practicing my <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-year-of-balance.html" target="_blank">one little word of 2013</a>. I attempted to achieve more balance by relaxing at night with a good read <i>(and an even better <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/12/paw-prints-on-my-heart.html" target="_blank">reading buddy</a>).</i><br />
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I cheered on my friend <a href="http://amycarolreeves.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a>, as she launched the second book of her <i><a href="http://amycarolreeves.com/html/books.php" target="_blank">Ripper</a></i> series.</div>
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I busted my tush helping to publicize a community event and made my Israeli dancing debut in the festival. <i>I was in such a good mood that I even posed with Cocky without displaying Gator shenanigans.</i></div>
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<b>May</b></div>
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I began the month spending <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/05/one-week-of-doing-what-i-love.html" target="_blank">one week doing what I love</a>.</div>
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Religious School ending for summer break, there were Sunday bubbly brunches with girlfriends.</div>
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I discovered that being the Communications Director of a small congregation sometimes means fixing a cake. <i>It should be noted that this is the </i>before<i> picture.</i></div>
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Hubby and I enjoyed summer date nights<i> </i>and nights out with friends. <i>Of course, I had to brag about this win on Instagram.</i></div>
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After 21 years of abstinence, I started eating meat again. <i>This was my favorite foray to being a carnivore again.</i></div>
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Hubby and I enjoyed our final Bat Mitzvah party of the year. There were NINE of them<i>, which is still less than the FOURTEEN we attended the year prior.</i></div>
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<b>June</b></div>
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One of the many perks of my job is having a beautiful sanctuary <i>(both literal and figurative)</i> in which to quiet my soul. It's a perk I took advantage of many times throughout the month.</div>
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There was spring cleaning <i>(a few months late)</i> at home.</div>
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And there was the Never-ending Office Remodel of 2013 at work <i>(the remnants of which still linger in December)</i>.</div>
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Sunday nights were spent relaxing, curled up with one of my favorite vamps.</div>
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I ended the month by <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/06/redefining-balance.html" target="_blank">redefining balance</a>, looking forward to a diverse second half of the year.</div>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-47167899223206357872013-12-11T19:18:00.000-05:002013-12-11T19:18:56.023-05:00Paw prints on my heartI'm no stranger to loss. In the last few years of high school and the first few years of college, it felt like I spent more time at funerals than I did at parties, <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2012/01/life-remembered.html">saying goodbye to friends</a> who were <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2010/03/everything-is-all-right.html">gone way too soon</a>. With all the grief I've experienced, never did I expect it to be the loss of a furry, four-legged friend that would be among the hardest with which to cope.<br />
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My sweet snuggle bunny, Mimi, came into my life 11 years ago. It was only a matter of months before I couldn't remember what life was like before her.<br />
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As she started showing her 17 years of age in the last few months, I was scared of what I knew would eventually come. Just the thought of it caused a separation anxiety of sorts and several bad dreams.<br />
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On Friday afternoon, my nightmare came true: Mimi let us know that she was ready to go, and we had to say goodbye to her. That was - surprisingly - the easier part because it was a blessing that we could give her one final gift of love: the gift of peace.<br />
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Coming home without her, though, ripped a hole in my heart. The sudden quietness of our apartment is deafening. Her absence is profound; we didn't truly understand how much she was a part of our everyday routines until she no longer was.<br />
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There is no meowing when I put ice in my morning water.<br />
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No begging to share my milk during breakfast.</div>
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There are no longer two eyes peering into the bathroom, waiting for me to get out of the shower.</div>
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There is no keeping my spot on the couch warm while I'm at work.</div>
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The "welcome home from work" reception is less enthusiastic when there's no flopping in delight at my feet.<br />
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This is no longer the scene as I change into my PJs.</div>
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Burning the midnight oil is lonelier.</div>
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Vacuuming is not nearly as entertaining.</div>
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There's no longer competition to sit in my chair.</div>
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Or lie in the bed.</div>
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My fellow TV buddy is gone.</div>
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As is my reading buddy.</div>
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And also my "thunder buddy," who was always ready to lend a comforting paw and purr.</div>
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Nearly every aspect of my daily life at home is scarred by her absence.</div>
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Mimi could have lived another 17 years, and it still wouldn't have been enough time with her. I'd always want to enjoy one more snuggle, hear one more meow, feel the vibration of one more purr. I'm so grateful for the ones I got to share with her for the last third of my life. She brought such joy to us. Her paw prints are forever on my heart.</div>
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<a href="http://thingsicantsay.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://thingsicantsay.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pouryourheart1.png" /></a><a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-55995378866014719562013-12-09T22:07:00.001-05:002013-12-09T22:07:52.504-05:00A Glantz Back - Part 1If you've been around this part of the blogosphere for a while, I don't have to tell you that my blog posts have been few and far between <i>(or practically non-existent)</i> this year. So when I read that <a href="http://thingsicantsay.com/2013/12/review-extravaganza-week-1.html">Shell</a> was co-hosting a year-in-review extravaganza, I thought it would be a good opportunity to not only "Glantz" back at this year's highlights, but also fill in some of the gaps.<br />
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<b>January</b><br />
At the end of 2012, I was working two part-time jobs, as well as freelancing. In January, I said goodbye to freelancing and the part-time job I had been working for about 18 months. My co-workers sent me off in the best possible way, with laughter:<br />
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The second part-time job I had picked up in the fall of 2012 offered me a full-time position, and I jumped at it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktmWu8WQeitU7jUHsfpE7E36GenJ7Az9Tmu2x7DaGI4zlK9CGQ0Lur4ZnUjCALZfBYUOWvL7sSeIXKpHkDxbTNnrrHqu6Xsa6UOFFQXdYkzh-knuvo5-b33Br1of16gvtQqbb/s1600/IMG_2144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktmWu8WQeitU7jUHsfpE7E36GenJ7Az9Tmu2x7DaGI4zlK9CGQ0Lur4ZnUjCALZfBYUOWvL7sSeIXKpHkDxbTNnrrHqu6Xsa6UOFFQXdYkzh-knuvo5-b33Br1of16gvtQqbb/s400/IMG_2144.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The work you do while you procrastinate <br />is probably the work you should be doing <br />for the rest of your life." - Jessica Hische</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I remember</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="http://www.humblepied.com/jessica-hische/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">hearing this quote</a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">a few years back and thinking,</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><i style="text-align: left;">If only I could get paid to Tweet and Facebook and tinker with online design all day... Pfft, like that would happen.</i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">In January that pie-in-the-sky dream became a reality when I accepted the position of Communications Director for a local non-profit organization.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">On Sundays, I got to play with one of my favorite people, co-teaching at our Religious School. </span><br />
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Working only one job, I found more time to relax at home.</div>
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<b>February</b></div>
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A fun month, it started with a yummy lunch in Charleston, SC.</div>
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And it ended with finding out whether blondes have more fun during our Purim celebration. <i>(I got major props for going to Temple dressed as a pig.)</i></div>
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<b>March</b></div>
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Hubby and I spent many a night at Bar Mitzvah parties. This one was at The Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium, where I proved my true allegiance as a Florida Gator.</div>
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My mom came to visit to celebrate both our birthdays. We celebrated hers with surprise tickets to <i>Les Miserables</i>.</div>
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In between birthday celebrations, I led a super small, 15-minute Passover Seder.</div>
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And I admittedly cheated at the end of Passover to celebrate my birthday by sharing my favorite Charleston restaurants with my mom...</div>
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...and to EAT CUPCAKES!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBUfHs8VAMvG0YUM3edTOJX4J5tHT6s769ZthVs0dWbtVPVdoIL46Gcmh-lJVSVaciokMp9DR9hPnFjgSJqVvKvBHKOjUMbWyyyaMdCOyCSCLaid0WmGatpkdoUHeRzAK7znr/s1600/IMG_2304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBUfHs8VAMvG0YUM3edTOJX4J5tHT6s769ZthVs0dWbtVPVdoIL46Gcmh-lJVSVaciokMp9DR9hPnFjgSJqVvKvBHKOjUMbWyyyaMdCOyCSCLaid0WmGatpkdoUHeRzAK7znr/s400/IMG_2304.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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All in all, it was a fun and satisfying start to the year.<br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-64428055485997169412013-12-03T20:35:00.000-05:002013-12-03T20:35:58.654-05:00Once in a lifetime<a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/11/its-beginning-to-look-lot-like.html">Thanksgivukkah</a> was a gastronomic mashup of epic proportions <i>and portions</i>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeDLvLQv-qIFTphsi1C-BVuavLzVIxoL7LRVGPUVCYj26WfowbkxNebDCzVZv5SH7EIqOQLvyV27IBRBcNOk7MUIo8KDE7T0WN1JtEGqOBhKc3ehfyuVYTzUlI2qdMHr46e56/s1600/Photo+Nov+29,+8+32+06+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeDLvLQv-qIFTphsi1C-BVuavLzVIxoL7LRVGPUVCYj26WfowbkxNebDCzVZv5SH7EIqOQLvyV27IBRBcNOk7MUIo8KDE7T0WN1JtEGqOBhKc3ehfyuVYTzUlI2qdMHr46e56/s400/Photo+Nov+29,+8+32+06+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dreidel spinning during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade<br />+ Thanksgiving nametags on menorahs as place settings<br />+ sweet potato latkes and cranberry applesauce<br />+ turkey AND brisket<br />+ pumpkin spice sufganiyot (doughnuts)<br />+ a cornucopia of gelt and dreidels<br />= EPIC holiday mashup!</td></tr>
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Here are a few "pinteresting" recipes that were among our favorites:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUtJ653o9uyaT0Ed9I1k6XGh2iLIhWwWmPyB0NIg0mf24CltNPcgHcjYqnGQrqsY-LANefbUGNhiIDsK000CpMtfXiOFtD2PQb3QI_UsaVYRu5acGf5uYb3xwaoI8B8sbPuPb/s1600/Photo+Nov+28,+7+26+32+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUtJ653o9uyaT0Ed9I1k6XGh2iLIhWwWmPyB0NIg0mf24CltNPcgHcjYqnGQrqsY-LANefbUGNhiIDsK000CpMtfXiOFtD2PQb3QI_UsaVYRu5acGf5uYb3xwaoI8B8sbPuPb/s400/Photo+Nov+28,+7+26+32+PM.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/263038434459368259/">pumpkin spice Rice Krispie treats</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeLVA3VoGuzdrjpCIgMGu8LZWtcNhcpZowyt4c2y8IucTvMrZlqnlBRccf21AO5wn1jN-IZViB-Ib83I1pPPrwK-bVjVrREzPrO88qzG6fg4VhGr74StE06pMLaHUuqKwpslC/s1600/Photo+Nov+28,+11+21+03+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeLVA3VoGuzdrjpCIgMGu8LZWtcNhcpZowyt4c2y8IucTvMrZlqnlBRccf21AO5wn1jN-IZViB-Ib83I1pPPrwK-bVjVrREzPrO88qzG6fg4VhGr74StE06pMLaHUuqKwpslC/s400/Photo+Nov+28,+11+21+03+AM.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/263038434459787111/">cranberry applesauce</a></td></tr>
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Thanksgivukkah may have come and gone, but Chanukah is still here <i>(barely - where is the time going?!) </i>For those of you who celebrate, happy Chanukah!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sYS8ZSjgdZuttY9_5wuomLbNIlAZxqhqzHkqXA7PYoOL9Us9EMteGe-yZ1G1dECY6rNE1NUppReay6iEcHLoJ4pNeaMOCaEfg-0sttiq3DQ8-nHZfCYwL9w6OOf5ilMDHkal/s1600/Photo+Dec+01,+5+24+43+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sYS8ZSjgdZuttY9_5wuomLbNIlAZxqhqzHkqXA7PYoOL9Us9EMteGe-yZ1G1dECY6rNE1NUppReay6iEcHLoJ4pNeaMOCaEfg-0sttiq3DQ8-nHZfCYwL9w6OOf5ilMDHkal/s400/Photo+Dec+01,+5+24+43+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-85694928929280831142013-11-29T16:46:00.003-05:002013-11-29T16:46:49.435-05:00FALLing in Love Friday: Powell's<i>This fall, I've decided to dedicate Friday blog posts to things with which I'm falling in love. You can read more about what I'm falling in love with <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/search/label/FALLing%20in%20Love%20Friday" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
It's time to clean house. I mean <i>really</i> clean house. I want it all gone! OK, well not <i>all </i>of it, but <i>most </i>of it. Though we've cleaned house several times over the last few years with our numerous moves, it's always an overwhelming task. To minimize that "OMG, what have I gotten myself into?!" feeling, I'm attacking the house one (very) small area at a time. The other night, I got a hankering to reduce the pile of to-be-read <i>(that I will never read) </i>books on my bookshelf nightstand. Half an hour later, two-thirds of the books were boxed up and ready to be ousted from the house.<br />
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As I looked at all the money that was once spent on said books, I began wondering if I could get a few bucks for them. I went to Amazon's marketplace and realized that too many people had the same idea, and I'd be lucky to sell the books at all, let alone for more than a penny. So on a whim, I Googled "selling books online." The first hit was <a href="http://www.powells.com/sellonline">Powell's Books</a>, a Portland-based bookstore that I had actually heard of and from which Hubby had purchased books a few years ago. "Why not?" I thought and gave it a go. Minutes later, I was selling books and falling in love.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyQBE5Iml-i6QPjVWqY4SqihhqIR3deXIjvndvsfPGVc0UMZ3yH9jupZ3Q5m2nZjcq50ABR0ethk2wQjWLY_u9ff81YSb28hqLO2AncU3oVEDNcUlHrEb5kh_EF9QkjH1iMyk/s1600/1422557_10151942531232552_1112435035_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyQBE5Iml-i6QPjVWqY4SqihhqIR3deXIjvndvsfPGVc0UMZ3yH9jupZ3Q5m2nZjcq50ABR0ethk2wQjWLY_u9ff81YSb28hqLO2AncU3oVEDNcUlHrEb5kh_EF9QkjH1iMyk/s200/1422557_10151942531232552_1112435035_a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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All you have to do is type the ISBN numbers into a search box, and within seconds, Powell's tells you how much they will pay for the titles they want.<br />
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Now, don't get me wrong: Out of a box of 40ish books <i>(yes, just from my bookshelf nightstand - don't judge)</i>, Powell's only wanted to buy four titles for $1.50 each. BUT it costs me ZERO to send them those four books, and, in return, I will get $6 in my PayPal account that I otherwise wouldn't have had. And before you tell me not to go spending the money all in one place, I use PayPal enough to make purchases that it will be like getting a $6 discount the next time I buy scrapbooking supplies or something from Etsy. And knowing that I have at least another 40 books to cull, there may be a few more dollars in my account before the month's end.<br />
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<i>Update: Since first drafting this post, I went through another bookshelf and fared much better: Out of 20-25 books, Powell's accepted eight and deposited $11 in my PayPal account. Now I'm officially addicted, and Hubby is nailing down books in the house.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-79003768727839323632013-11-27T22:12:00.000-05:002013-11-27T22:12:52.759-05:00It's beginning to look a lot like......Thanksgivukkah!<br />
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Never before and never again in this lifetime will there be a holiday mashup quite as awesome as what's in store tomorrow: Thanksgivukkah. The Pilgrims and the Maccabees, both champions of religious freedom, will share a day tomorrow, which they won't do again for another 70,000 years:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOvYrSh9CAqOsg9GTzzVd2UGJjmKI0Tv9_YAy2ZXZx2YgLwqSUbf3NxXWblC3uSkWiiNbbPvX5j_whcfMfsQYqN5_5kdyhgb1PKiVx-tzCp5LY5dDVvtznQ_sQ-shPZDXS2uf/s1600/happy-thanksgivukkah1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOvYrSh9CAqOsg9GTzzVd2UGJjmKI0Tv9_YAy2ZXZx2YgLwqSUbf3NxXWblC3uSkWiiNbbPvX5j_whcfMfsQYqN5_5kdyhgb1PKiVx-tzCp5LY5dDVvtznQ_sQ-shPZDXS2uf/s200/happy-thanksgivukkah1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"This year, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah will overlap, producing an anomalistic hybrid holiday that’s come to be known as Thanksgivukkah. There are conflicting reports about whether it’s happened before and when it will happen again, but most mathematicians and calendar experts seem to think this is the first occurrence. Although the holidays would’ve overlapped in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln didn’t formally establish the holiday of Thanksgiving until two years later, in 1863, which means that 2013/5774 will mark the first Thanksgivukkah in history. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Just how rare is this holiday? <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/kutsher-tribeca-celebrates-thanksgivukkah-feast-article-1.1471942" style="border: 0px; color: #007bb9; font-size: 15px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some reports</a> say Thanksgivukkah will happen again in 2070; others, like Jewish physicist and calendar expert <a href="http://thanksgivukkahboston.com/four-questions-with-jonathan-mizrahi-jewish-calendar-math-whiz/" style="border: 0px; color: #007bb9; font-size: 15px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jonathan Mizrahi</a>, say it won’t repeat itself until 79811. Either way, it’s safe to say that for most of us, Thanksgivukkah is, indeed, a once-in-a-lifetime event." </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: right;">
<i>-<a href="http://www.reformjudaism.org/blog/2013/10/14/celebrating-thanksgivukkah-once-lifetime-holiday">ReformJudaism.org</a></i></blockquote>
To celebrate, I've put on my "<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/sweet-genius/index.html">Sweet Genius</a>" hat and am preparing to make hybrid desserts to honor both holidays. I truly don't remember the last time I was this excited to bake. <i>It's a Thanksgivukkah miracle!</i><br />
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Right now, it looks like a bodega threw up on my kitchen counter...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3V1YB9UPpjV8D1gl5SdwiW97hz3G8uiULWb1zC5buiIgIx0QQFfL2l1no9lleKs7v4kqlZfTZAN3rfLwbmxLGtfd2aKMwOm30x3vSPNik8NPxJQrXIBZJS9FUnBhBXjLznw-/s1600/Photo+Nov+27,+6+40+57+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3V1YB9UPpjV8D1gl5SdwiW97hz3G8uiULWb1zC5buiIgIx0QQFfL2l1no9lleKs7v4kqlZfTZAN3rfLwbmxLGtfd2aKMwOm30x3vSPNik8NPxJQrXIBZJS9FUnBhBXjLznw-/s320/Photo+Nov+27,+6+40+57+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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... but tomorrow it will look like culinary crossover creativity. <i>I hope.</i> <br />
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<a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-7564918589630037092013-11-06T05:58:00.000-05:002013-11-06T05:58:00.766-05:00The Halloween that Wasn't<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Halloween is by far my favorite holiday of the year. Perhaps it's the love I had of playing "make believe" as a young girl, or maybe it's the theatre nerd that developed in me during my teenage years, or perhaps it's the excuse to "be dark" now that I'm too old to be goth. No matter what the root cause is, I count down to Halloween beginning in September with the same enthusiasm that my nieces count down Christmas starting in summer. </div>
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Not having anyone to dress up around here besides myself <i>(Mimi will not be disgraced by such a notion)</i>, I tend to go "all out" with my own costume.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevNNW39YiGjcI3VmstMEw0JmHrSO05DGS7tpuu48lvar66AzuGBJXuPsohBpMqyDY9kcOnuJXTE5PSHzqupeZKFMJTRrseleXXfvEBWx7NfwRI4dKT-5XoUDCTkDQ5G3Ocs67iA/s1600/Picture+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevNNW39YiGjcI3VmstMEw0JmHrSO05DGS7tpuu48lvar66AzuGBJXuPsohBpMqyDY9kcOnuJXTE5PSHzqupeZKFMJTRrseleXXfvEBWx7NfwRI4dKT-5XoUDCTkDQ5G3Ocs67iA/s400/Picture+7.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit A: <br />
Circa 2006, I was an exaggerated version of my former self.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lH57XKrCh7bIbSZjeFALrHMx8lgtkFK3pJZSH7jeYFkAo8b8EF48BQMQFL1Gr4TJSHjkREJ0ae5OZf0B9aFsmQg6qc0FwE0xD9XEcVdNgr9hsYZXo-enbp8qa5ipwkpDwDmy4Q/s1600/298118_10101435688595361_1881376021_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lH57XKrCh7bIbSZjeFALrHMx8lgtkFK3pJZSH7jeYFkAo8b8EF48BQMQFL1Gr4TJSHjkREJ0ae5OZf0B9aFsmQg6qc0FwE0xD9XEcVdNgr9hsYZXo-enbp8qa5ipwkpDwDmy4Q/s400/298118_10101435688595361_1881376021_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit B:<br />
Circa 2011, Bellatrix Lestrange was the hit of the party,<br />
<i>with everyone except for Ginny Weasley, that is.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkckXnTgU_bMbK03KdZe_tvUxgX-pKGZvRtNckgL_PNKjl-QxzM1b8ZsK9yxYl2KYRDHPLhBJbsvBIAP8TxMXEmtc4K3SBgbPYIoCyzXxb5_OaWPXcrWoGLS9qF49VbR5QHhc9_w/s1600/2ed6d05823ac11e2b0c912313b089111_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkckXnTgU_bMbK03KdZe_tvUxgX-pKGZvRtNckgL_PNKjl-QxzM1b8ZsK9yxYl2KYRDHPLhBJbsvBIAP8TxMXEmtc4K3SBgbPYIoCyzXxb5_OaWPXcrWoGLS9qF49VbR5QHhc9_w/s400/2ed6d05823ac11e2b0c912313b089111_6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit C:<br />
Circa 2012, Sookie Stackhouse left Bon Temps <br />
and made her way to South Carolina.</td></tr>
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So you can imagine my disappointment when - despite all my vitamins, hand washing, and fruit eating - I caught the cold of death just in time to RUIN HALLOWEEN.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLg-OxdFIFU4AIu84f9zdqTRlP4ASpksiofLUIiw8J9bY5lI13V_Og7W6IjbaHcctvr7_Zy4_cp0NQxMCig58E4AiaR9VqSF5z1-8axse3WO2g2JrAxgVz88FYfUFu3oG2fOPvg/s1600/Photo+Oct+31,+6+40+13+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLg-OxdFIFU4AIu84f9zdqTRlP4ASpksiofLUIiw8J9bY5lI13V_Og7W6IjbaHcctvr7_Zy4_cp0NQxMCig58E4AiaR9VqSF5z1-8axse3WO2g2JrAxgVz88FYfUFu3oG2fOPvg/s400/Photo+Oct+31,+6+40+13+AM.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is as Halloweenie as it got around here this year.<br />
I read about supernaturals and watched vampires & werewolves<br />
<i>(aka watched </i>Eclipse<i> for the hundredth time)</i><br />
in between naps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05isit3h3YPf2oWQIrgJyjEcdo4PZtc9_o5T7oEiIFyzQOd6ipIoVn6bWYK_GUv3wPWITjazd0oZtZoubJmCfOZpvX90iaH8x0Gbh_kEtmeM5oWqnCkr9iRCbTLtPOulxdatI/s1600/Photo+Nov+02%252C+2+21+32+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05isit3h3YPf2oWQIrgJyjEcdo4PZtc9_o5T7oEiIFyzQOd6ipIoVn6bWYK_GUv3wPWITjazd0oZtZoubJmCfOZpvX90iaH8x0Gbh_kEtmeM5oWqnCkr9iRCbTLtPOulxdatI/s400/Photo+Nov+02%252C+2+21+32+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too sick to carve the pumpkin?<br />
Just stuff the pumpkin in a pair of patterned pantyhose.<br />
<a data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jtQw389Ah_v0HH46MZ_SoNRSWj3iSHJushNNDSNvVE5-pMaU-feqFhimTHtfd4QXosDRCEcLwy8w9DmEdafQCOowONmM2-bfrcz_wBV2X24Ekv-WqdO_VV58hwlvLSqnxdOyrQ/s1600/Photo+Nov+01,+3+42+16+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jtQw389Ah_v0HH46MZ_SoNRSWj3iSHJushNNDSNvVE5-pMaU-feqFhimTHtfd4QXosDRCEcLwy8w9DmEdafQCOowONmM2-bfrcz_wBV2X24Ekv-WqdO_VV58hwlvLSqnxdOyrQ/s400/Photo+Nov+01,+3+42+16+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still managed to get a sugar high, thanks to one of Hubby's students.</td></tr>
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I haven't yet gotten over the disappointment of my Halloween that wasn't, but at least there's always <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2012/04/time-flies.html" target="_blank">Purim</a>:<br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-84490104134406913522013-10-11T23:02:00.000-04:002013-10-13T07:57:21.384-04:00FALLing in Love Friday: Couponing<i>This fall, I've decided to dedicate Friday blog posts to things with which I'm falling in love. You can read more about what I'm falling in love with <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/search/label/FALLing%20in%20Love%20Friday" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
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I get the "don't buy it unless it's on sale" gene from my mother... when it comes to clothing. When it comes to grocery shopping, though, I've never been good at saving; my eyes and taste buds rule my purse. The strings on said purse need to be tightened a bit over the next few months, and so, after setting a monthly budget, I started researching the frightening world of couponing <i>(said in a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_jLykcWPn0" target="_blank">Kramerian "moviefone" voice</a>)</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVI2XaxvA9IJ9vUk6z3WrI2EMm0_GoEy-bZ77fZ-iw48DJZJE71IdE_ZrubBWUmx-4wLLU3zACnJduDT4o5O6lQJ4zQvST31guiEOCUBooWPmSV_RCtMydK_kXP_DdtdVv5i7xA/s1600/etc_couponing10__01__630x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVI2XaxvA9IJ9vUk6z3WrI2EMm0_GoEy-bZ77fZ-iw48DJZJE71IdE_ZrubBWUmx-4wLLU3zACnJduDT4o5O6lQJ4zQvST31guiEOCUBooWPmSV_RCtMydK_kXP_DdtdVv5i7xA/s200/etc_couponing10__01__630x420.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-28/the-all-consuming-pleasures-of-extreme-couponing" target="_blank"><i>image source</i></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/extreme-couponing" target="_blank">Thanks to TLC</a>, the word struck fear in Hubby's heart. I promised that I had no desire to "go extreme," that I wouldn't start hoarding shampoo, and that I wouldn't fill the guest bathtub with cans of cat food. I wanted to save money, but I didn't want that savings to come at the expense of my already limited time. The one thing I did understand about couponing was that I had to match coupons with sales to get the most savings, but I didn't really understand how to figure that out efficiently. After a quick Google search for couponing basics, I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.southernsavers.com/" target="_blank">Southern Savers</a>, a site that gave me a much better understanding of how to get the maximum savings out of coupons and also takes most of the guesswork out of that weekly process.<br />
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Armed with some knowledge, I decided to start out with only one store, the one I normally shop at: Publix. I signed up for their <a href="https://publix.couponselectionpage.com/offers/all" target="_blank">digital coupons</a>, which I love because all I have to do once I get to the store is enter my phone number in the credit/debit card payment machine, and the cash register automatically deducts my coupons when the cashier hits the "total" button. It takes no time at all for me to click the little boxes of the coupons I want and then email my list of coupons to my phone, which I can then reference while shopping.<br />
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Deciding to start small made the idea of couponing less overwhelming; still, I wanted to make sure these extra few minutes were worth it. I downloaded the <a href="http://www.southernsavers.com/2009/12/2010-savings-tracker/" target="_blank">Southern Savers savings tracker</a> and was surprised not only by how much money I was saving, but also how much better I was getting at saving money as I gained more practice. After just a few shopping trips, I learned when to use coupons and when to save them for a better deal. Thanks to a very helpful cashier, I also learned this week about the hidden treasure at the front of every Publix: store coupons which can be combined with my digital manufacturer coupons for extra savings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlkASBUauRlAbpDBqNIAAM5WyOqnr1JClp78kPJfR6aVMAat3t5YQYVk4ptf3_iaq2LXaVUib1tVS4xxM0-KBgNvs3l7Z_cceThc8QsbUPH0QBcnSLOcX08qOQ0oluiQabHD8zQ/s1600/Photo+Oct+13,+7+43+42+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlkASBUauRlAbpDBqNIAAM5WyOqnr1JClp78kPJfR6aVMAat3t5YQYVk4ptf3_iaq2LXaVUib1tVS4xxM0-KBgNvs3l7Z_cceThc8QsbUPH0QBcnSLOcX08qOQ0oluiQabHD8zQ/s320/Photo+Oct+13,+7+43+42+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've used coupons for three consecutive grocery trips and, with only a little knowledge and even less time, have saved anywhere from 10%-16% off my bill, for a cumulative savings of almost $50 for the month. The benefit of shopping like this, as opposed to dropping hundreds of dollars at the bulk warehouse - especially when there are only two of us to feed, is now visible to me.<br />
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I will never be one of those people who drives around to five different grocery stores to get the lowest price; however, I can see adding a drug store to my shopping day in the future. It's become fun - not a chore - to see how much I can save. And I intend to keep it that way.<br />
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<i>What are you in love with this week?</i><br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-18139118733994345502013-10-10T23:03:00.000-04:002013-10-11T07:04:24.677-04:0010 Things: Fall TVThe countdown to Fall TV around here is like some people's countdown to the Super Bowl. I rip out Entertainment Weekly's guide and set my DVR in anticipation of shows both old and new. These are my top 10 this season:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Fi4WmVk3hkfw0joSN5NswIWXslhcF-4BWjPjxKoZKtQgtcnDOHMrbcUCGMNEsZsThn_mQ8b67hVES6i-CHwIw4JoeVpi9INQciW6Si7aAxoy6HCBguevisRzNowvWCfAdeRfA/s1600/NBCs-The-Blacklist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Fi4WmVk3hkfw0joSN5NswIWXslhcF-4BWjPjxKoZKtQgtcnDOHMrbcUCGMNEsZsThn_mQ8b67hVES6i-CHwIw4JoeVpi9INQciW6Si7aAxoy6HCBguevisRzNowvWCfAdeRfA/s200/NBCs-The-Blacklist.jpg" width="200" /></a>1. <i>The Blacklist</i><br />
This is seriously the best new show on TV. James Spader is captivating, as always, and the twists and turns provide an enjoyable spell of whiplash each week, which always has me counting down the days until the next episode.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5WMDFjjQY8cbgTwVb3dG0usej22A6qZykW3HdBXOIKSs3PlY6v7KVcBO4oF9IYioCVs6XnDF0m-y1c3ezXyVR7SgcfljHWu1ZIaGpYSHvfFmnUw_G3Ke9y0c18pJHtAoO-lTsw/s1600/22755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5WMDFjjQY8cbgTwVb3dG0usej22A6qZykW3HdBXOIKSs3PlY6v7KVcBO4oF9IYioCVs6XnDF0m-y1c3ezXyVR7SgcfljHWu1ZIaGpYSHvfFmnUw_G3Ke9y0c18pJHtAoO-lTsw/s200/22755.jpg" width="200" /></a>2. <i>The Good Wife</i></div>
Consistently good since Day 1, this show never misses a beat. It is arguably one of the best written dramas of the new millennium.<br />
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3. <i>Hostages</i><br />
Toni Collette is brilliant in everything she does <i>(United States of Tara, anyone?)</i>, and this new drama is no exception.<br />
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4. <i>Survivor: Blood vs. Water</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCkPejDndIlhfqbxOtKcBoBkP59PJTDXrt-tWSD3CCeCTx4Z3xtSA3NYcv-wVZdYMvzwguYE_ARIAm8VpVKL1ccYiWEqbKTdxVvuElIU8qphGKq9xLGhIl1azb7QesO34jU4dfg/s1600/Survivor_27_Palaui_Blood_vs_Water.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCkPejDndIlhfqbxOtKcBoBkP59PJTDXrt-tWSD3CCeCTx4Z3xtSA3NYcv-wVZdYMvzwguYE_ARIAm8VpVKL1ccYiWEqbKTdxVvuElIU8qphGKq9xLGhIl1azb7QesO34jU4dfg/s200/Survivor_27_Palaui_Blood_vs_Water.png" width="200" /></a>I've watched <i>Survivor</i> since the beginning, and I have to admit that I was starting to get more than a tad bored with the series. This season, though, provides the perfect twist to make the game interesting again. Watching mother & daughter, husband & wife, and brother & brother pitted against each other is so wrong, yet so entertaining!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKdJ7d4L5sIls0ZhmIr2Nq1Yc1hyphenhyphen2x5yaeNZAZWs6PXeA5DjlqyZkyMyLXIOZB-9dBNbegg8y9wAhWznFvi0jFohS_NeBOu6GVdY4pGghIucDK8E43nzMrn2rHaVraS9tq2_vPg/s1600/Sleepy-Hollow-Cast-FOX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKdJ7d4L5sIls0ZhmIr2Nq1Yc1hyphenhyphen2x5yaeNZAZWs6PXeA5DjlqyZkyMyLXIOZB-9dBNbegg8y9wAhWznFvi0jFohS_NeBOu6GVdY4pGghIucDK8E43nzMrn2rHaVraS9tq2_vPg/s200/Sleepy-Hollow-Cast-FOX.jpg" width="200" /></a>5. <i>Sleepy Hallow</i><br />
Cops + a dreamy soldier from the Revolutionary War + supernatural mysteries. Need I say more?<br />
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6. <i>Face Off</i><br />
Being a huge theatre nerd, I love anything and everything costumes and make-up. While the execution is amazing, the contestants' imaginations are what causes the awe I feel during every episode.<br />
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7. <i>The Crazy Ones</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MTvzvqnvwsPmH9RkP2HQid7RGGEaqURbEjloN9rm8Vp9oA9tZMtTxWUhm4frhc0eXwm7RTCPdEuYIaL1asca2ZXzZEI7Bycod9lMsC2ogsrhxgxfdPjsklfxXvTSofwuFvNziQ/s1600/CBS_TheCrazyOnes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MTvzvqnvwsPmH9RkP2HQid7RGGEaqURbEjloN9rm8Vp9oA9tZMtTxWUhm4frhc0eXwm7RTCPdEuYIaL1asca2ZXzZEI7Bycod9lMsC2ogsrhxgxfdPjsklfxXvTSofwuFvNziQ/s1600/CBS_TheCrazyOnes.png" /></a>If you've been around my blog for a while, you know that I'm a huge <i>Buffy</i> fan and thus love Sarah Michelle Gellar <i>(though it should be </i><i>noted that I loved her well before that when she played Kendall in </i>All My Children<i>)</i>. She was my draw to this new comedy, which I have found to be delightfully light and fluffy. It's my feel-good show in the midst of all the drama and competition I watch.<br />
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8. <i>New Girl</i><br />
Who doesn't want to live with the New Girl gang? Yes, they're neurotic, but they're also ridiculously funny and <i>(mostly)</i> sweet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU2z3Kb9SRpOqh8ofWAA9mGgC3dB7iiVQhy_oS0cRhYnA7VRsEhUTvmY3M4FJ-SnvKQyn7G7lTkq_ibkClzCcNufNfeqARt8PDCqpE3uy8Tbku9P4YjlWKYIcg4GQ10L7GTEauw/s1600/reg_1024.Parks.Rec2.mh.022213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU2z3Kb9SRpOqh8ofWAA9mGgC3dB7iiVQhy_oS0cRhYnA7VRsEhUTvmY3M4FJ-SnvKQyn7G7lTkq_ibkClzCcNufNfeqARt8PDCqpE3uy8Tbku9P4YjlWKYIcg4GQ10L7GTEauw/s200/reg_1024.Parks.Rec2.mh.022213.jpg" width="200" /></a>9. <i>Parks & Recreation</i><br />
I would watch Amy Pohler staring at the wall for half an hour. Seriously. Her cast-mates are equally funny, and Leslie x Ben <i>(Benlie? Len?)</i> are one of the cutest couples on TV.<br />
<br />10. <i>Two Broke Girls</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNrRsPQTcdBhnccXHSN0LdOr-PCsWedwd3KJv0HYaTMXOgTRd8-Kw_Cf8pqxQjzl2o-P7C6kyaQtmVL2ShpHckZZMPkEpllTegwd1-htxPYJmuWToGLuRwIyt7AIBv3KxLts91w/s1600/halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNrRsPQTcdBhnccXHSN0LdOr-PCsWedwd3KJv0HYaTMXOgTRd8-Kw_Cf8pqxQjzl2o-P7C6kyaQtmVL2ShpHckZZMPkEpllTegwd1-htxPYJmuWToGLuRwIyt7AIBv3KxLts91w/s200/halloween.jpg" width="200" /></a>Max's biting jokes always put a smile on my face, and I love seeing the story of two young friends trying to make their dream of opening a cupcake shop a reality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNrRsPQTcdBhnccXHSN0LdOr-PCsWedwd3KJv0HYaTMXOgTRd8-Kw_Cf8pqxQjzl2o-P7C6kyaQtmVL2ShpHckZZMPkEpllTegwd1-htxPYJmuWToGLuRwIyt7AIBv3KxLts91w/s1600/halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>10.5 <i>Halloween Wars</i><br />
<i>(This is legit a half because it's a four-part "mini-series" as opposed to a full-season show.) </i>Pumpkin carving, cake sculpting, and sugar blowing/pulling/bending to create cah-razy Halloween-themed characters and scenes is the perfect way to get in the holiday mood.<br />
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What fall shows are you crushing on this season?<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*All images were taken from show/network websites.</span></i></div>
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-58366582315341020232013-10-09T05:52:00.000-04:002013-10-09T05:52:00.050-04:00This is the faceThis is the face of the man who prefers the indoors to the out, but he silently swats away the bugs because he knows how happy it makes me being in the sun.<br />
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This is the face of the man who would rather eat at home, but he drives 40 minutes to take his wife, a recently reformed vegetarian, to a barbecue festival.<br />
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This is the face of the man who is a somewhat fussy eater, but he can eat his weight in collards and black-eyed peas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnufQyypYP6afNOlluFmOTHdCkkGfk9NOWcyG1ip01cHH_Q-5vgNDuj-univ49FJg56l-LVFcPb3164O6TypRCdwR93ezoVQwYro5p_U7c0fktssov0Uz_MO-OlkEdyZFMSF20w/s1600/Photo+Oct+05,+12+06+48+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnufQyypYP6afNOlluFmOTHdCkkGfk9NOWcyG1ip01cHH_Q-5vgNDuj-univ49FJg56l-LVFcPb3164O6TypRCdwR93ezoVQwYro5p_U7c0fktssov0Uz_MO-OlkEdyZFMSF20w/s400/Photo+Oct+05,+12+06+48+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://gastonsc.org/home/31st-annual-gaston-collardbarbeque-festival" target="_blank">Gaston Collard & BBQ Festival</a><br />October 5, 2013</i></td></tr>
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I love this face.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-60365236211534697712013-10-06T23:58:00.000-04:002013-10-06T23:58:00.622-04:00Storytelling Sunday: My Preeeeciousss #1<i>(Sorry, I can't look at the word "precious" and NOT say it like Gollum.)</i><br />
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Inspired by <a href="http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/2013/04/story-telling-sunday-my-precious-4.html" target="_blank">Cheri's post at Scrap Dreams</a>, I found <a href="http://fromhighinthesky.blogspot.com/search/label/Storytelling%20Sundays" target="_blank">Sian's Storytelling Sunday</a> and decided to make a layout for my Things We Love album about a collection that's precious to me. I'll eventually create the layout, but the memories flowing through my heart, I had to put fingers to keys as soon as the inspiration hit <i>(though it took me six months to actually hit the "publish" button)</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi_X_vufT8YY33fJYeP6shMD2qgeS2KX5NBpm3BDDxvrBdKZKsON608yM1NMG87mUgGcZn4eSNUMDKAxQDMl_iyhmpW-v7RMTS8ayEk83lMjiBWCP3aqtdI5fevjzo7gKpwDthg/s1600/Photo+Oct+06,+7+05+41+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi_X_vufT8YY33fJYeP6shMD2qgeS2KX5NBpm3BDDxvrBdKZKsON608yM1NMG87mUgGcZn4eSNUMDKAxQDMl_iyhmpW-v7RMTS8ayEk83lMjiBWCP3aqtdI5fevjzo7gKpwDthg/s320/Photo+Oct+06,+7+05+41+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a>Looking at these seashells, I can still feel the warmth of the sun beating on my face, the cool breeze of the ocean tickling my hair, the sound of the seagulls playing a symphony in my mind. New Smyrna Beach in Central Florida is my happy place. It's where I spent some of the most memorable, most enjoyable days of my high school and college years. But these seashells are a reminder of something more precious than the beach: They're a reminder of a very specific moment in time, shared by someone who I can no longer see, save the pictures in my albums and my mind.<br />
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Collecting these shells in New Smyrna while in college, only a few months after my friend Jennifer passed away, a precious memory was jogged. I remember writing the story down and sending it to her parents: It was my favorite summer, the one between my junior and senior year, the one when everything was perfect, the one when I got to spend endless days and nights with the first boy I ever loved and two of my BFFs on the Florida sand, in the Disney pools, down the streets of a nearby city, and in countless arcades, ice cream shops, and theaters. One summer day, lying out on the beach, enjoying the sensation of tanning and the trashy magazine I was reading, Jennifer got up with her water bottle and started mosying along the beach. When I finished reading about Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock, Jennifer was still walking up and down the beach... filling her water bottle with seashells. She wasn't collecting just any 'ole shells, though; she had to find the perfect ones. Thirty minutes later, we were ready to leave, but Jennifer had no interest in going yet, for she had yet to fill her bottle to the very top, which she was determined to do. At first selfishly motivated by my desire to get back on the road, I started helping her search for pretty shells to add to her bottle. The smile on her face upon achieving her goal was worth the extra time getting crispy in the sun, and I was happy to have contributed to it.<br />
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I don't know what ever happened to that bottle, if it was found among her precious things after her passing. My collection, which was first in a bottle, then a plastic apple, and now a plastic baggie, waiting for me to do something meaningful with it, will forever be precious: a precious reminder of a precious time I wish I could get back, a precious reminder of a precious friend who was taken too soon.<br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-48271065506962078142013-10-04T23:58:00.000-04:002013-10-05T07:26:12.692-04:00FALLing in Love Friday: KnittingThis fall, I've decided to dedicate Friday blog posts to things I'm falling in love with, <i>aka my current <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/search/label/obsession" target="_blank">obsessions</a></i>.<br />
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I <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2009/07/knit-purl.html" target="_blank">started knitting</a> back in 2009, thanks to my friend <a href="http://heatherplusmike.com/" target="_blank">Heather</a>, who was patient enough to teach me enough to get myself in trouble with yarn. Over the course of the next year, I knitted several scarves of various basic patterns. Upon moving to South Carolina, I put my knitting needles away. More complicated patterns and projects were too daunting, but the basic scarf, no matter how different the pattern, left me feeling uninspired.<br />
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Over the last couple of months, an overactive mind left me unable to enjoy my rare, beloved TV time. I needed a way to unwind, so I tried unwinding a ball of yarn. It was not at all "like riding a bike." It had been so long since I picked up a pair of knitting needles that my muscle memory was non-existent. I'm embarrassed to admit<i> (so I won't)</i> how many times I had to watch YouTube videos to get my hands to do a simple knit again, but after a while <i>(a long while)</i> I was knitting and purling as though I had been doing so all along. Despite some issues with newly developed carpal tunnel syndrome <i>(BOO)</i>, I have once again fallen in love with this relaxing pastime...so much so that I am working on TWO completely different projects simultaneously!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczFdQ6ZjoXeex4ww_eIa5KawN04XD8XNaFGo6vckqlF20cL9zwUraCafejN0fhGCCiaDo7USf5L979wVuGgJScAmStQOOzhs2MbW5ejOtZg2hzE5ANVZ4t8GPzDRsfydmEkNEAg/s1600/Photo+Sep+29,+2+02+02+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczFdQ6ZjoXeex4ww_eIa5KawN04XD8XNaFGo6vckqlF20cL9zwUraCafejN0fhGCCiaDo7USf5L979wVuGgJScAmStQOOzhs2MbW5ejOtZg2hzE5ANVZ4t8GPzDRsfydmEkNEAg/s400/Photo+Sep+29,+2+02+02+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't this fun yarn make you wonder?<br />I'll give you a sneak peek soon.</td></tr>
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What have you fallen in love with this week?<br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-89650305388066172372013-10-02T06:02:00.000-04:002013-10-02T06:02:00.833-04:00Another year older, another year more wonderfulWe welcomed <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/10/its-most-wonderful-time-of-year.html" target="_blank">my most favorite season</a> this year, as we often do, with the celebration of Hubby's birthday. This was a milestone year, but I was made to promise that I wouldn't make a big spectacle about it <i>(read: no parties)</i>. I dutifully kept my word; however, I couldn't let the weekend go without a <i>slightly</i> big deal about this wonderful guy.<br />
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The weekend started with a visit from my father-in-law, which allowed Hubby to cross an item off his bucket list: Drive a BMW.<br />
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I organized a few family members to go in for one "big" gift this year. As if there were any doubt where Hubby's college loyalty lies, his new desk chair responds in style.</div>
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My main gift this year was a labor of love. Being married to an introvert, I understood the "no party" rule <i>(as for me, I'm going to be swinging from the chandelier on this milestone birthday)</i>, but I thought that unfairly excluded the people who love and wanted to celebrate their son, brother, nephew, cousin, or friend. So I reached out to everyone that <i>would</i> have partied with us <i>(this included only family and friends who already knew it was Hubby's birthday, thereby not breaching any "Don't let anyone at work know when my birthday is" rules)</i> and asked them to email me with letters, stories, memories, pictures - anything they wanted to contribute to let Hubby know how special he is to them.</div>
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Adding Facebook stalking and computer contact-book hacking to my list of skills, I emailed as many friends and family members as I could find. For several weeks, I emailed back and forth with a great cast of characters - some who I know and some whom I only know of - from Hubby's life, as I laughed and sniffed at their outpouring of love.</div>
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Using a random day off from work <i>(thank goodness Sukkot fell before Hubby's birthday!)</i> I enjoyed a ten-hour scrapbooking marathon to compile all the wonderful contributions received. Based on the reaction I got the morning Hubby opened his scrapbook, I fear it may be hard to ever top this present.</div>
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After enjoying everyone's stories and memories a second time, through Hubby's eyes, we went to see the Wizard <i>(of Oz, that is)</i> in 3D. <i>(At least the glasses hid the tears I shed upon seeing Judy Garland sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" seemingly right in front of me.)</i></div>
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We ended the special birthday weekend as one always should - with cake. </div>
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Happy birthday, babe! I'm so glad I get to spend your next _0 years and beyond with you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" /><br />
<i>© Take a Second Glantz</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-8451920435484794892013-10-01T06:39:00.000-04:002013-10-01T06:39:00.822-04:00It's the most wonderful time of the yearNo, I'm not talking bout Christmas <i>(though, according to all the retailers around here, it's already time to celebrate)</i> - I'm talking about FALL.<br />
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The smells of cinnamon and cider fill the crisp air as colorful leaves crunch beneath my feet.<br />
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A spring in my step, I'm inspired to craft, cook, bake, and bust out the decor.<br />
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Hunkering down under the throw blanket with a cuddly kitty, a hot cup of cocoa, and a good book is how we spend nightfall.<br />
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And then, as the final flicker of the candle flame extinguishes, I go to sleep, grateful for the blessings of this season.<br />
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Fall. It's the most wonderful time of the year.<br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" /><br />
<span style="text-align: right;">© </span><i style="text-align: right;">Take a Second Glantz</i><br />
<i style="text-align: right;"><br /></i>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-46520023855541348382013-07-10T06:16:00.000-04:002013-07-10T06:16:00.363-04:00A real American Fourth of JulySome may say that our Fourth of July was unorthodox. I say that it was truly American.<br />
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First, we went to a crowded movie theater in the pouring rain to consume popcorn and candy while watching an all-American heartthrob kill zombies.<br />
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Then, we ordered Chinese takeout for dinner.<br />
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Let's face it folks: It doesn't get any more American than that!<br />
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<a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-54939270407827974402013-06-26T19:55:00.000-04:002013-06-26T19:55:00.644-04:00A happy balance (#iPPP)Just a few happy moments that helped me <a href="http://www.secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/06/redefining-balance.html" target="_blank">redefine balance</a> over the past few months...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEqhtHDXe8Wgqae5tlD7toBcsoKeU2bkl1IWNBMGCk_-gGkMZpqBhOZEzg01iem_KqB2uXklO7G02_7xNTzoqamKREHDNUeVwgnWHakvUKlU_iPdTy_rRZUuoYOKmYl6qWt7FhA/s1600/IMG_2324_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEqhtHDXe8Wgqae5tlD7toBcsoKeU2bkl1IWNBMGCk_-gGkMZpqBhOZEzg01iem_KqB2uXklO7G02_7xNTzoqamKREHDNUeVwgnWHakvUKlU_iPdTy_rRZUuoYOKmYl6qWt7FhA/s400/IMG_2324_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was so much reading!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok4Zdh9kilS4prOOAfX9eNSTkgYU2Om-9BU2smvxAtI2d186fr9qtN-9HGPTLSjIXUkYH1h7FrWLQRF6qlvWpI6-MSme9C8zdNbQJik4eGcplV9_Gj1CcIXg7nPR4t6wae_r7Ug/s1600/IMG_2345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok4Zdh9kilS4prOOAfX9eNSTkgYU2Om-9BU2smvxAtI2d186fr9qtN-9HGPTLSjIXUkYH1h7FrWLQRF6qlvWpI6-MSme9C8zdNbQJik4eGcplV9_Gj1CcIXg7nPR4t6wae_r7Ug/s400/IMG_2345.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise, surprise, there was a lot of eating.<br /><i>I promise I didn't eat ALL the sushi on this platter.<br />Just the pieces with the yellow sauce on top.</i> :D</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4XB_U3xrHgoVjlf_aAwhf4lmmUteXLk3rQ0YmG7E4ZU799JS7QAd8Sd8kXwf1kvF036BLZkz3Ay4OOiiEpcAxLVEToyC0aMZPgp99IzJjO5HItrcyo23igYT_q5xw3tevH2v8w/s1600/IMG_2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4XB_U3xrHgoVjlf_aAwhf4lmmUteXLk3rQ0YmG7E4ZU799JS7QAd8Sd8kXwf1kvF036BLZkz3Ay4OOiiEpcAxLVEToyC0aMZPgp99IzJjO5HItrcyo23igYT_q5xw3tevH2v8w/s400/IMG_2351.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally learned how to "fancy" tie scarfs...<br />
just in time for the heatwave.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5uT_Gv8OY4NTcp1T-YqwJhgAyu3YjZyrgYlAXanhUBIuFgjEpVi__zXrekN0eWhtsox3M0ogrVR1n_NxcjH9zM39w-O53pcP9AOIKdxlARt-c8bzjgOfNQqV7s2li3-_gJz3zg/s1600/IMG_2439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5uT_Gv8OY4NTcp1T-YqwJhgAyu3YjZyrgYlAXanhUBIuFgjEpVi__zXrekN0eWhtsox3M0ogrVR1n_NxcjH9zM39w-O53pcP9AOIKdxlARt-c8bzjgOfNQqV7s2li3-_gJz3zg/s400/IMG_2439.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also learned how to Israeli dance and even performed at a community-wide festival.<br />
<i>Unfortunately the only picture I have from this day is with Cocky *eye roll*,</i><br />
<i>but get a load of those awesome yellow flats I picked up for $4!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsiJi-T2H1hwniKKbffNlmpMOOBrmuT7Xb7Uq6Ed2JgINrfGBD8n2lVBMp2GRbLOs9D9dZutYLHFQcGyuUBzV1S-SPjoDr-IOFjUyc5UpFMPSFqFY1qKgjAZE4D2PdVcOdCI9Hw/s1600/IMG_2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsiJi-T2H1hwniKKbffNlmpMOOBrmuT7Xb7Uq6Ed2JgINrfGBD8n2lVBMp2GRbLOs9D9dZutYLHFQcGyuUBzV1S-SPjoDr-IOFjUyc5UpFMPSFqFY1qKgjAZE4D2PdVcOdCI9Hw/s400/IMG_2456.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a lot of time with Hubby...<br />eating a lot of soft service ice cream.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO89mFYvhUZPfjJonDmNUIgtHdTGDIss84OfTjQLH2XzBDkb0Bf-CfDvWJI5rIf0cNqJqPtVWzI9lIYWNsGvSz3_1ylgI3uSA-0elvtzgTCsQVEU6pdCYfed8tw9Ng6D4Ih0nbQ/s1600/IMG_2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO89mFYvhUZPfjJonDmNUIgtHdTGDIss84OfTjQLH2XzBDkb0Bf-CfDvWJI5rIf0cNqJqPtVWzI9lIYWNsGvSz3_1ylgI3uSA-0elvtzgTCsQVEU6pdCYfed8tw9Ng6D4Ih0nbQ/s400/IMG_2462.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were plenty of snuggles with this sweet girl.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSap1M0KjviYCOWUGYeW8lLb4DHK5Bjt8jYw3nXo6L4-hjaY2ENlFEJccgi9zLDedfvk5QC7ISX5Y-5Kx8wWJ_bb86TAhHON-MAW9PzihGo2QpJDrjcAl-7wqnjw0n2SpbzM30A/s1600/IMG_2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSap1M0KjviYCOWUGYeW8lLb4DHK5Bjt8jYw3nXo6L4-hjaY2ENlFEJccgi9zLDedfvk5QC7ISX5Y-5Kx8wWJ_bb86TAhHON-MAW9PzihGo2QpJDrjcAl-7wqnjw0n2SpbzM30A/s400/IMG_2514.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there were bubbly drinks at brunches with friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGv6g1qP8Lok8QfNoHAUNU7yKoft5n02ORc_PXOahskqFubKslKQIiVlW7_HHzzB_hcd8358WLxi_mvx_qYaxdNMdtK2Zq7t_CfaTrN9fMjxhv724S9kVttzJwzw8PB5iKJBSuw/s1600/IMG_2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGv6g1qP8Lok8QfNoHAUNU7yKoft5n02ORc_PXOahskqFubKslKQIiVlW7_HHzzB_hcd8358WLxi_mvx_qYaxdNMdtK2Zq7t_CfaTrN9fMjxhv724S9kVttzJwzw8PB5iKJBSuw/s400/IMG_2521.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The air conditioning went out in our apartment just as it started getting hot.<br />
It took a few days to fix, but the end result was worth the wait.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmgjn00A_yWMosz_Dv0wawfZ4ubLd3WMBtcvG0i9IU7wvBYAJovnSntKowt_V0Be4xbppDXdLGccw2_6eKDgcTzmY9fAS4Y5fzVR0DLiuS5OLCm2_Jz27T4KRHdCNdi5Xd2V1Kw/s1600/IMG_2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmgjn00A_yWMosz_Dv0wawfZ4ubLd3WMBtcvG0i9IU7wvBYAJovnSntKowt_V0Be4xbppDXdLGccw2_6eKDgcTzmY9fAS4Y5fzVR0DLiuS5OLCm2_Jz27T4KRHdCNdi5Xd2V1Kw/s400/IMG_2524.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I discovered that being the Communications Director of a congregation sometimes means fixing a cake. <br />
<i>It should be noted that this is the BEFORE pic.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTMhk1UHEJ8xqoW_bpzopmtrg5evR7qdRASaYIHaxEy6n0YR4ZbLN_9ijfekZhIaFtp235LvUYYpFwa9_Oqnj_88VJd7RLyfyv7_oNQzP1zWC_GIfBlGCsXRGMEXCAoI90_vCLA/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTMhk1UHEJ8xqoW_bpzopmtrg5evR7qdRASaYIHaxEy6n0YR4ZbLN_9ijfekZhIaFtp235LvUYYpFwa9_Oqnj_88VJd7RLyfyv7_oNQzP1zWC_GIfBlGCsXRGMEXCAoI90_vCLA/s400/IMG_2538.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowling night ended in a win for this C. It was totally worth the swollen knee I had in the morning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHhqeg7tzub2xwk0ts3YJGvAK8vQV_UC6Bo4hipAo3RvJlnSDSBALDekvP6pDvg8BOqPG6mHBeZ0OuhL-bM9RIYEPBaS6tR8ma7qaAwpXX2Q5sN0phDFeqth02Pc-IcaObkTLkg/s1600/IMG_2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHhqeg7tzub2xwk0ts3YJGvAK8vQV_UC6Bo4hipAo3RvJlnSDSBALDekvP6pDvg8BOqPG6mHBeZ0OuhL-bM9RIYEPBaS6tR8ma7qaAwpXX2Q5sN0phDFeqth02Pc-IcaObkTLkg/s400/IMG_2556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started eating meat after 21 years of abstinence.<br />
This was my favorite foray to being a carnivore again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVu1CHz4HQ5CN7_5DNumpc8WPwqCIROk7T4Vto941rD5OW7uEZXxa1IRmCls8Tr1v8oRAlUU0S4KlfBFrhdNohy_0S6cAnpDIFY2EyV-4V6suZTwrSzqU4d97j8fGPHXZRdgfjQ/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVu1CHz4HQ5CN7_5DNumpc8WPwqCIROk7T4Vto941rD5OW7uEZXxa1IRmCls8Tr1v8oRAlUU0S4KlfBFrhdNohy_0S6cAnpDIFY2EyV-4V6suZTwrSzqU4d97j8fGPHXZRdgfjQ/s400/IMG_2567.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed our final Bat Mitzvah party of the year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE18nOx6bmasOoE3zihAlDIMGY2xpImnh0DEZkpyoaehDzzfUe1R0oYYsl2XEY67FIWUaBb_gHfoC3R2PfS8hUM370tVJihTahgSYm_bED9INO_UKwEZrPeVhdAyDiU-2fdOXElg/s1600/IMG_2574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE18nOx6bmasOoE3zihAlDIMGY2xpImnh0DEZkpyoaehDzzfUe1R0oYYsl2XEY67FIWUaBb_gHfoC3R2PfS8hUM370tVJihTahgSYm_bED9INO_UKwEZrPeVhdAyDiU-2fdOXElg/s400/IMG_2574.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After living in this apartment for two years, we finally hung curtains in the bedroom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80HUT6toJU7fZiTjKG-4nRyaywa9TqosKuj82gYydVuabCYrKZcp_U66OTU0FdEE6uz5pSskCuG_ADrfjJpqngK83cprA1BTx6Refi-xVVAL-TQwOoR75UvUbRAs6dl51IckmIQ/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80HUT6toJU7fZiTjKG-4nRyaywa9TqosKuj82gYydVuabCYrKZcp_U66OTU0FdEE6uz5pSskCuG_ADrfjJpqngK83cprA1BTx6Refi-xVVAL-TQwOoR75UvUbRAs6dl51IckmIQ/s400/IMG_2575.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got my first, long-awaited pedicure of the season.<br />
Nothing says summer to me like blue.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6VsvX9v5RdYkMTe2J5h5nQ2bHtZOYS_J_7Nq5FGkkLv2GGHDafAg3P1KHC6NvUWobLWm4vb-XILGIx_oKgVR02aXtePx4E4w2DLTJbwBGy7DoB7s19V1yjXWPN8G8KPT-RN61g/s1600/IMG_2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6VsvX9v5RdYkMTe2J5h5nQ2bHtZOYS_J_7Nq5FGkkLv2GGHDafAg3P1KHC6NvUWobLWm4vb-XILGIx_oKgVR02aXtePx4E4w2DLTJbwBGy7DoB7s19V1yjXWPN8G8KPT-RN61g/s400/IMG_2578.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tackled the mess that was our supply closet at work.<br />
Totally conquered it!<br />
<i>If only I could find that same motivation at home...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQU7aj5rDUdWFlQ48jgiUAAnE6B029SI01cqGdt_NjCgRdkBApkqHq4s8b3pvAEY4dHjRX4LKi9-1nwBljXFO3A9Mcv2iHp-zQZJEpF1JKa0CPGpcXGNo1DSHl7tQnLzJBoxy6A/s1600/IMG_2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQU7aj5rDUdWFlQ48jgiUAAnE6B029SI01cqGdt_NjCgRdkBApkqHq4s8b3pvAEY4dHjRX4LKi9-1nwBljXFO3A9Mcv2iHp-zQZJEpF1JKa0CPGpcXGNo1DSHl7tQnLzJBoxy6A/s400/IMG_2610.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...like hubby did,<br />
which resulted in Mimi vs. SpotBot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QtWTw4qxpxZkDZJLMrna7XZNAdTwqdEyiM94ghiJrOgw8Q3iBdHFasxLIrkTWeV5WTFDIr43BWLm2kKEmtVI06diCGCMxu41wYOEW85396UNuqC6QWgXT1WbFe59t9XYQB86uA/s1600/IMG_2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QtWTw4qxpxZkDZJLMrna7XZNAdTwqdEyiM94ghiJrOgw8Q3iBdHFasxLIrkTWeV5WTFDIr43BWLm2kKEmtVI06diCGCMxu41wYOEW85396UNuqC6QWgXT1WbFe59t9XYQB86uA/s400/IMG_2614.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confession: I started watching <i>Full House</i> while I eat breakfast because it's cheerier than the news.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5IQclYsI0G0TqA2J5buf6O4oQtdhaUCB0dvKfUFXjN0-8pq0gs_ultvFZVucfgX-a8rBDtjbO4L1vAwimAOZdX7eeF0JSMhN5_YIEQ9XqcBFD0eV6ZhgNWekkhWzypPnxYdvDg/s1600/IMG_2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5IQclYsI0G0TqA2J5buf6O4oQtdhaUCB0dvKfUFXjN0-8pq0gs_ultvFZVucfgX-a8rBDtjbO4L1vAwimAOZdX7eeF0JSMhN5_YIEQ9XqcBFD0eV6ZhgNWekkhWzypPnxYdvDg/s400/IMG_2623.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many days, I enjoyed a beautiful view while quieting my soul.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRgvlhM4oIjkgidfPm2clFLMonqrbRBwtuucujFVbO5-KJPIWmxlJeGQLz9oyIWpcRQ-d2xkJzcz5B-5vyHl3Pyhh0nWXr6vCyM1pHh3o2WvRz-QZ74ZKVGPTcvSAC6bNOZ0m2g/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRgvlhM4oIjkgidfPm2clFLMonqrbRBwtuucujFVbO5-KJPIWmxlJeGQLz9oyIWpcRQ-d2xkJzcz5B-5vyHl3Pyhh0nWXr6vCyM1pHh3o2WvRz-QZ74ZKVGPTcvSAC6bNOZ0m2g/s400/IMG_2646.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday nights are now spent curled up with one of my favorite vamps.</td></tr>
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I'm so glad that blogging is part of my balance again right now because I really missed you all!<br />
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<a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-81915463886320773082013-06-25T18:26:00.000-04:002013-06-25T18:26:42.823-04:00LOAD wrap-upMy lovely friend <a href="http://lauriedanielle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Laurie</a> <i>(whose blog you should definitely go check out so that you can ooh and aah over the awesome layouts she's made of her precious first baby girl)</i> asked me for a <a href="http://www.layoutaday.com/load513" target="_blank">LOAD</a> update <i>(um, over a month ago)</i>, so I am finally honoring her request <i>(better late than never, right?)</i>.<br />
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I did an awesome job keeping up <a href="http://www.secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/05/one-week-of-doing-what-i-love.html" target="_blank">in the beginning</a>. And then work got busy, and I had to wrap up the end of my Religious School year, and we had a Bat Mitzvah party to go to, and... you get the idea. Out of 31 days, I completed only 11 layouts, but I'm totally 100% okay with that. I went into the month knowing I would never complete all 31 days, and I ended the month happy to have achieved 1/3 of that total. As I've said previously and will continue to say in support of LOAD, I have more layouts at the end of the month than I would have had I not participated in this challenge. Thus, it's <b>always</b> a success!<br />
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Without further ado, here are the remaining four layouts I completed:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjOSrj6L2c_EoNOcb9TuCEPEK51W2npG2YC5rg_eEwhFPeP1mtb3xvbzAQfRh3h19LeKZDiQhfenGMH7qe7xsWIYVIQ843N9Bxo348HTEFdFVzldleahsEb_yvA-BV7mqimKYxg/s1600/8728348075_4cd98029db_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjOSrj6L2c_EoNOcb9TuCEPEK51W2npG2YC5rg_eEwhFPeP1mtb3xvbzAQfRh3h19LeKZDiQhfenGMH7qe7xsWIYVIQ843N9Bxo348HTEFdFVzldleahsEb_yvA-BV7mqimKYxg/s400/8728348075_4cd98029db_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This hybrid layout is dedicated to my favorite place to be lately: between the pages of a book.<br />
I finally used pieces from Teresa Collins' Home Sweet Home kit, which I've been squirreling away - for what, I don't know. I felt like journaling would be too much for this already busy page, so I think when I put it in my album I'll attach a 6x12 insert and add some thoughts there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQXVAklcRdrzQCiApmjGEmTwhX3UD3CpWsUIks8A7Q3tBTkMs9DMlwjMuXWTlSe7m_H27iRD6ReexfjHnrpTG4K7opDBVVjRv-EFgGw9XApNxzX9kTz8t9JeN8vDXpSAze0raDw/s1600/8729009579_7a31138cd6_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQXVAklcRdrzQCiApmjGEmTwhX3UD3CpWsUIks8A7Q3tBTkMs9DMlwjMuXWTlSe7m_H27iRD6ReexfjHnrpTG4K7opDBVVjRv-EFgGw9XApNxzX9kTz8t9JeN8vDXpSAze0raDw/s400/8729009579_7a31138cd6_z.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did a "just for the taste of it" LO about Diet Coke a few years ago & decided to play off that slogan to document my love of Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate on yet another hybrid page.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBwYj5ImN-CpnYhcRAJCDrdUaTGZRt0m_DTqiZkRhLwj85WccnsZruULcwzBbSdrz0uOfkX1_h1rw1MnhAXd0ImqcV2bxzXHgEdGx3M3mGKP6LOsuOQ4VL9cFNR9Jzd1T_LKJ5w/s1600/8733573766_7653128807_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBwYj5ImN-CpnYhcRAJCDrdUaTGZRt0m_DTqiZkRhLwj85WccnsZruULcwzBbSdrz0uOfkX1_h1rw1MnhAXd0ImqcV2bxzXHgEdGx3M3mGKP6LOsuOQ4VL9cFNR9Jzd1T_LKJ5w/s400/8733573766_7653128807_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I acquired this digi template in 2009 and regret that I don't know to whom it is credited.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSC0ubR7GEdpTk5hOFduqYvc2P0VuKquixHFPV1amQTLs3sxGrKErYOVlQxNHNGQDobAezG5dCXtB3dXi84VIQHJSrSc-HAoGARkNSnFeLlQrSq23Wa0gXvsFgd65g6mvDhqsHw/s1600/8872617215_8f8de84070_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSC0ubR7GEdpTk5hOFduqYvc2P0VuKquixHFPV1amQTLs3sxGrKErYOVlQxNHNGQDobAezG5dCXtB3dXi84VIQHJSrSc-HAoGARkNSnFeLlQrSq23Wa0gXvsFgd65g6mvDhqsHw/s400/8872617215_8f8de84070_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ended the month with another all-digital page, celebrating my favorite pictures of hubby & me.</td></tr>
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The most shocking part of this LOAD? I actually remembered to get my digital layouts printed! They are due to arrive this week, and I can't wait to put them in my albums!<br />
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I had a great time creating, and it was an added bonus that <i>(unbeknownst to me at the time I signed up)</i> that I got to play along in this challenge with not just <a href="http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">one</a>, but <a href="http://capturethememories.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">two</a> of my bloggy friends. I look forward to the next time I can scrap a LOAD!<br />
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-89619464953856139022013-06-24T20:21:00.001-04:002013-06-24T20:21:20.403-04:00Redefining balance<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/AVvXsEjRUbRQmUcU-sNTW1-wQ2O3mLWw-I1m04qw3ejlkzH-0tc6jEKAvfAVdq69pRLfZHV8wwvALSCYPU8kYYNpHJsm_9n6elnMpRPjAhl3MVs2fPccBYuGIBpvX3AuM6ZY7Yv_rFoXzQ/s1600/draft+health+insurance+marketplace+application.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUbRQmUcU-sNTW1-wQ2O3mLWw-I1m04qw3ejlkzH-0tc6jEKAvfAVdq69pRLfZHV8wwvALSCYPU8kYYNpHJsm_9n6elnMpRPjAhl3MVs2fPccBYuGIBpvX3AuM6ZY7Yv_rFoXzQ/s200/draft+health+insurance+marketplace+application.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.zanebenefits.com/Portals/149308/images/draft%20health%20insurance%20marketplace%20application.jpg" target="_blank">image source</a></i></td></tr>
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I remember a time in the not-so-distant past when I considered myself a blogger. Now my blog is but a memory of those days, and my Blogger dashboard is littered with nearly-finished and some just-started drafts that I've been writing for the past few months. For some reason I haven't been able to get from draft to publish. Perhaps it's because I'm out of the habit of writing or simply because I haven't been into it. Lately, I've felt the need to unwind with activities that would get me out of my head; writing, for me, even when penning fiction, does just the opposite. In the past few weeks, I've been trying to push myself to blogging productivity, since that was one of the activities I wanted to better balance this year, but it just wasn't clicking, and then I read <a href="http://coachmarla.com/2013/06/the-forgiveness-factor/" target="_blank">this</a> in my blog reader last night:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">If you’re a lapsed writer, before you even start exploring writing again or “getting more productive,” you’ve got to take a little action to give yourself a fresh start. And that action is the simple act of forgiving yourself for the way things have been. ~ <a href="http://coachmarla.com/blog/" target="_blank">Marla Beck</a></span></span><br />
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And it spoke to me, in relation not only to my lack of writing, but also to my goal of practicing balance.<br />
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For me, balance no longer means finding time to do everything I "need" or want to do; balance means achieving a healthy mix of work and play, productivity and relaxation to maintain a happy me. The things that make me happy - how I play and relax - aren't always consistent. While blogging/writing was at one time an outlet that created much reward and satisfaction, recently the blank computer screen has been less attractive than the stack of books on my shelf, the piles of photos that have yet to be scrapped, the movies in my Netflix queue, and the "pinned" recipes that remained untested. At first I felt guilty that writing had been pushed to the back of my heart, but then I both accepted and embraced it, enjoying the activities that made me most happy at the time. As a result, I've read some great books, watched more movies in the past few months than I usually do in an entire year, and even made a few great projects... all of which I'm now finally ready to write about here.<br />
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So what is the ultimate take-away for me six months into this "<a href="http://www.secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-year-of-balance.html" target="_blank">year of balance</a>"? It's that balance means different things at different times; that what makes me happy today might not make me happy tomorrow - and that's O. KAY; that trying to force myself to continue a hobby - whether that be blogging or scrapbooking - when I'm not feeling it can make the hobby even less desirable; that there is great benefit in listening to myself and giving myself both the space and permission to do what my brain and body need at the time.<br />
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Thus, this is me accepting the way things have been, forgiving myself for diverging from my original path, and promising to continue being honest with myself about my needs. And this is me finally hitting the "publish" button.<br />
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-33704974988323907402013-05-08T07:31:00.001-04:002013-05-08T07:31:53.235-04:00One week of doing what I loveAt the end of March, someone reminded me that when life is at its craziest, that's when it's most important to carve time out for yourself. And that's when I decided to sign up for <a href="http://www.layoutaday.com/load513/" target="_blank">May's LOAD (Layout a Day) Challenge.</a> I was not under any false pretense that I would actually produce a layout every single day this month; however, I knew that by signing up, by scrapping "with" friends virtually, by being inspired and encouraged by others challenging themselves to achieve the same goal, I'd undoubtedly scrapbook more than I otherwise would this month <i>(especially since the last time I scrapbooked was in 2012)</i>. The layouts are admittedly not always my best work, but I've come to realize that doesn't matter. What matters is that I have finally documented some of life's stories that had not previously been scrapped and may never have wound up in an album had it not been for participating in this challenge.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RNbfA8chNR_wViAveZi3nrtrLdWgbkShwmMhcc7xIsfs0EdUWxE1TQUTOV7qY7Fl2En_HT6aGujxt_17LjxAU3HOTBaAKiWrexqFF0HYszVdvq67oRMuER_9SBT_VIOMJW3tOQ/s1600/IMG_2480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RNbfA8chNR_wViAveZi3nrtrLdWgbkShwmMhcc7xIsfs0EdUWxE1TQUTOV7qY7Fl2En_HT6aGujxt_17LjxAU3HOTBaAKiWrexqFF0HYszVdvq67oRMuER_9SBT_VIOMJW3tOQ/s400/IMG_2480.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prompt for Day 1 was "Mrs. White in the House."<br />Our cat, Mimi, with fur as white as snow, immediately came to mind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-KnzldzHIHynma6nrotGEdt_Nudhc1k6_mkxuKe_29yMzk2Aaxc8gSEP9koU-iS3TMXZeWr_ooUWtXn_vQmrDV4t5QHopzrWQZfCzHUv2zQTV8XeeCplz8Cd6cJ0e1xXfOU8tQ/s1600/besties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-KnzldzHIHynma6nrotGEdt_Nudhc1k6_mkxuKe_29yMzk2Aaxc8gSEP9koU-iS3TMXZeWr_ooUWtXn_vQmrDV4t5QHopzrWQZfCzHUv2zQTV8XeeCplz8Cd6cJ0e1xXfOU8tQ/s400/besties.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is my favorite layout to date.<br />Seeing this picture scrapped makes me want to scrap a "through the years"<br />layout of the many pictures of the three of us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8jbJlBsA48jfyuFCVaYbEOSZ6DRdXeofjth5mD6FAFsDPfeggzTHTPlf012KeGvnSDvbzpzPMtA70vbITvXAvySqY401jAEUvt409RzluMD_o84lPKbh0AkS97B-QgFOpZiRVg/s1600/nook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8jbJlBsA48jfyuFCVaYbEOSZ6DRdXeofjth5mD6FAFsDPfeggzTHTPlf012KeGvnSDvbzpzPMtA70vbITvXAvySqY401jAEUvt409RzluMD_o84lPKbh0AkS97B-QgFOpZiRVg/s400/nook.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most inventive to date, I took a stock photo of a nook color<br />and turned it into my background paper.<br />Looking at my Instagram feed, I was amazed at how many nook photos I had<br />and realized this was a love that needed to be documented.<br />Best of all, when we're reading on some crazy new device years into the future,<br />we can remember what our exciting new technology looked like in the early 2000s.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv0FwN9fJdx38Q-0FqmNNhITrPax7pObBHaZbhREaDF9F9Ox5JafCt0gM_UwROQnAu5NUV8NCwBEkzvoXgT3Qh01VOW-RopOGXkpNArpGF9cyVzeFlcNO3DEsSerqRqew_oDCsA/s1600/IMG_2478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv0FwN9fJdx38Q-0FqmNNhITrPax7pObBHaZbhREaDF9F9Ox5JafCt0gM_UwROQnAu5NUV8NCwBEkzvoXgT3Qh01VOW-RopOGXkpNArpGF9cyVzeFlcNO3DEsSerqRqew_oDCsA/s400/IMG_2478.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prompt for Day 4 was greed. Wanting to be a little more greedy with my time<br />this summer, and combining the prompt with Tami Morrison's challenge for<br />National Scrapbooking Day, I created a summer bucket list.<br />Once I've completed the list, I'll document the pictures on an opposing page.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_xt6wga-rLCin_QUk0q-1rL9WQheU1dk_qFnbhV8jrKIfmq0KFwDimRecSKQIYzXbKeDG5I5e4HdmmBks_Y_NO68yPLv0Y9KW7COI7tqdZQl9MRBtb9MhCSslMi3xjwWahfauw/s1600/Charleston+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_xt6wga-rLCin_QUk0q-1rL9WQheU1dk_qFnbhV8jrKIfmq0KFwDimRecSKQIYzXbKeDG5I5e4HdmmBks_Y_NO68yPLv0Y9KW7COI7tqdZQl9MRBtb9MhCSslMi3xjwWahfauw/s400/Charleston+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off prompt again for Day 5, I finally documented the non-traditional Thanksgiving<br />tradition that my husband and I have been enjoying for the past three years.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-XdxGw6nUTm15RhqtQ1NWLxObImZxNKi1TRKTrnfMxr-QmQYXsNwuRLkRuwUy15RCUifZDkqLj5PyNxAdBAKjWf6TcFxMzJ6zE_zX-lSoNL3pp2WylcTgo3Ly5CfCL3QwGmtWw/s1600/FunFarewell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-XdxGw6nUTm15RhqtQ1NWLxObImZxNKi1TRKTrnfMxr-QmQYXsNwuRLkRuwUy15RCUifZDkqLj5PyNxAdBAKjWf6TcFxMzJ6zE_zX-lSoNL3pp2WylcTgo3Ly5CfCL3QwGmtWw/s400/FunFarewell.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I happened to be going through photos from earlier in the year<br />and knew I wanted to document this story before it got lost in the cobwebs of my brain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatDmC1IYoPXOlGq64oM6bCvu8I51YxGj_ftfCIYOvHJPp4VWTTUrz9s07R2JLkd4DW5Vd9-gYIWD4xoM1OWoyv30zRbqfVGZ0g-5tJMTro1CGj_TuPRiKfzLyAQHAXXekMVCJbw/s1600/allan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatDmC1IYoPXOlGq64oM6bCvu8I51YxGj_ftfCIYOvHJPp4VWTTUrz9s07R2JLkd4DW5Vd9-gYIWD4xoM1OWoyv30zRbqfVGZ0g-5tJMTro1CGj_TuPRiKfzLyAQHAXXekMVCJbw/s400/allan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a photo from my husband's Facebook feed that I just HAD to scrapbook,<br />I finally completed an assignment from an online class I'm currently enrolled in<br />(and miserably behind in).</td></tr>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-22348420419384627052013-04-16T07:22:00.000-04:002013-04-16T07:22:09.628-04:00Humanity Lost, Humanity Found<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart."</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: right;"> ~ Anne Frank</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Sitting in a meeting yesterday afternoon, a coworker burst in to tell us that she had just gotten off the phone with so-and-so who told her that "There were several explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, and bodies are everywhere!" Ignoring the obvious lack of tact, we all went running in separate directions to grab our phones and took to both social media and news sites. My mind immediately flashed to a teacher running into my classroom, shouting, "A plane hit the World Trade Center" and turning on the TV just in time to watch the second airplane strike.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">In times like these, it's easy to question where our humanity has gone, decry the unspeakable and senseless acts of violence we commit against each other. But last night, as I read hours worth of tweets in my usually ignored feed, my heart swelled, my eyes filled with tears at the heart and humanity people showed for complete strangers. Yes, there are the amazingly selfless and courageous rescue workers, first responders, and heroic bystanders that rushed toward the explosions instead of away from them. What struck me more, though, were the acts of kindness like the one this runner experienced:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">And the collective conscience of this group of strangers to do what they could to help was so great that the American Red Cross had all the blood they needed within two hours of the explosion. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM00MPwn8D8RaWm5NhkXOdQL6m5rrSBFDwImlYpxribQenvaqfkRWbxOOa-BTqFOURqmI39RZjw1poNbjqrmzLAoBeJAuf-wsIPOI12sdZXzuQGGG7Ukdoqvo8Jma2dC7yO_QTQA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.58.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM00MPwn8D8RaWm5NhkXOdQL6m5rrSBFDwImlYpxribQenvaqfkRWbxOOa-BTqFOURqmI39RZjw1poNbjqrmzLAoBeJAuf-wsIPOI12sdZXzuQGGG7Ukdoqvo8Jma2dC7yO_QTQA/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.58.55+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">There was such an outpouring of offers for free shelter, food, connectivity, and companionship that a Google Docs spreadsheet was created to assist marathon runners and families find the help that many of them needed:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNFNPlxIp73eUhPEbCaJmbZxZAONaUbJ-c1aTuRjxrxGRYPjOnTUm4ZU71K03A8cZEXmPH8By2JgphVZ2aOpWuEf3-yhmM0nssCE96rZMBLwA1jjH9QohPHMs1DEm75nXRpybfg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.28.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNFNPlxIp73eUhPEbCaJmbZxZAONaUbJ-c1aTuRjxrxGRYPjOnTUm4ZU71K03A8cZEXmPH8By2JgphVZ2aOpWuEf3-yhmM0nssCE96rZMBLwA1jjH9QohPHMs1DEm75nXRpybfg/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.28.30+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xSdvbLlFer-QEYksX0BH3ep0D8ENzb2X1raC2oLyrHh00pAaOFCNNYL8mijebuYLZEMFKAv6zXXHNFc-J3dI6SZqEPLsj6929DqZIXjaSgh8CQRm0dy5k62c21H14BehHBdXew/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.41.40+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xSdvbLlFer-QEYksX0BH3ep0D8ENzb2X1raC2oLyrHh00pAaOFCNNYL8mijebuYLZEMFKAv6zXXHNFc-J3dI6SZqEPLsj6929DqZIXjaSgh8CQRm0dy5k62c21H14BehHBdXew/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.41.40+AM.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytpJMfrUREhWwYx4goIKkDygPBdmELA8WpOglao1JQPLaAUSJF71em3STAOrnGRp9MvIU8IGvBtxfvoRIbMo6ErVwb-5qvdFO7o1amW7JUhsbCdsEtIZadWlr3fla8oPX_KYUcg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.41.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytpJMfrUREhWwYx4goIKkDygPBdmELA8WpOglao1JQPLaAUSJF71em3STAOrnGRp9MvIU8IGvBtxfvoRIbMo6ErVwb-5qvdFO7o1amW7JUhsbCdsEtIZadWlr3fla8oPX_KYUcg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.41.27+AM.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCjHDPLjq4uAiLz6YcaMcrHidYYSDmAhNlcyXUI9-8Y9dPQq88wvRzu7ARRL9yjXLUcoJN9gNQqnH388z22iUVqqPllY09yeEBBi3GMGx0gr0a9hWd5NMzggzt5ieXbpyFXP_lQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.43.28+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCjHDPLjq4uAiLz6YcaMcrHidYYSDmAhNlcyXUI9-8Y9dPQq88wvRzu7ARRL9yjXLUcoJN9gNQqnH388z22iUVqqPllY09yeEBBi3GMGx0gr0a9hWd5NMzggzt5ieXbpyFXP_lQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+6.43.28+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">And, of course, there was the power of social media. I remember on 9/11 spending hours trying to get through to my friends and family in NYC and people who might have heard from them. Say what you want about social media, but it's hard to deny the power it has to provide relief and comfort when tragedy strikes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">This morning, as I listen to the news reports and continue to skim my social media feeds, I choose to focus not on who did this or why - the answers of which I don't think I'll be able to comprehend even when known - and focus instead on the stories of humanity.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC9SaL-uhlzfL_S8fILICDQVRfS9bBZqOPepI9nZo3IbP1pJrPc3VxGyOU-dsTyiypytKkPH_O-SNimTzslBJdnHihCmpoGly25npxkwcirtwQdgwe_Oeg1kX9ap7nl1PuPdvAA/s1600/mr_rogers_helpers_quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC9SaL-uhlzfL_S8fILICDQVRfS9bBZqOPepI9nZo3IbP1pJrPc3VxGyOU-dsTyiypytKkPH_O-SNimTzslBJdnHihCmpoGly25npxkwcirtwQdgwe_Oeg1kX9ap7nl1PuPdvAA/s400/mr_rogers_helpers_quote.png" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC9SaL-uhlzfL_S8fILICDQVRfS9bBZqOPepI9nZo3IbP1pJrPc3VxGyOU-dsTyiypytKkPH_O-SNimTzslBJdnHihCmpoGly25npxkwcirtwQdgwe_Oeg1kX9ap7nl1PuPdvAA/s1600/mr_rogers_helpers_quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC9SaL-uhlzfL_S8fILICDQVRfS9bBZqOPepI9nZo3IbP1pJrPc3VxGyOU-dsTyiypytKkPH_O-SNimTzslBJdnHihCmpoGly25npxkwcirtwQdgwe_Oeg1kX9ap7nl1PuPdvAA/s1600/mr_rogers_helpers_quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-15977662758299145172013-04-14T19:25:00.002-04:002013-04-14T19:25:43.781-04:00Currently in April<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://rukristin.blogspot.com/p/currently.html" target="_blank">Currently</a> is a weekly journaling challenge created by Kristin from <a href="http://rukristin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">rukristin papercrafts</a>. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://rukristin.bigcartel.com/product/currently-journaling-cards-color-edition-physical" target="_blank">Color Edition Currently Cards</a> are designed by Kristin and embellished a little by moi.</span></i></div>
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I first learned about this challenge from <a href="http://chroniclesofsarita.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarabeth</a> (who has created a cool spin on the challenge for book lovers) earlier this year. While I don't think I'll keep up with the challenge on a weekly basis, I'd like to incorporate it at least once a month into both my blog and my Project Life album. <b>What are you doing currently?</b><br />
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-87538421058704528792013-04-04T07:46:00.000-04:002013-04-04T07:46:04.184-04:00A couple of great moments (#iPPP)Despite an overall rocky start to 2013, I <i>have</i> managed <a href="http://www.secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-fresh-start.html" target="_blank">to grab a couple of great moments</a>:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFHYltMND4NyWZrp5zJrVk7xiF0sBSu2XBBM3t-u3YxR0S8xvDTFwPhebfvpg9nAeH91KVk0qXkiSEa3cV5CXtICrBe5fsDKy26JAn-Yvh0YSKUXrBTpHbndyoE5YpeBoMgBCgA/s1600/IMG_1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFHYltMND4NyWZrp5zJrVk7xiF0sBSu2XBBM3t-u3YxR0S8xvDTFwPhebfvpg9nAeH91KVk0qXkiSEa3cV5CXtICrBe5fsDKy26JAn-Yvh0YSKUXrBTpHbndyoE5YpeBoMgBCgA/s400/IMG_1861.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I changed jobs and am doing something I never realized how much I love.<br />
<i>(More on that later.)</i><br />
The ladies I left behind sent me off with a huge laugh <i>(read the cake)</i>,<br />
and this is why I miss them. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7W2zCe5J0xUIOkTl2fs_TuKQNlYFZqMn80rmS3aAjbodheE_27k-oSyslxaRKhADDwclg_2B6B_qUwaG4d6ZxseJZ-pWG9mI0la92SFEp8Aib6Z9Cs0wbgu0gonijqRqHX349A/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7W2zCe5J0xUIOkTl2fs_TuKQNlYFZqMn80rmS3aAjbodheE_27k-oSyslxaRKhADDwclg_2B6B_qUwaG4d6ZxseJZ-pWG9mI0la92SFEp8Aib6Z9Cs0wbgu0gonijqRqHX349A/s400/IMG_2176.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I embraced my inner child and celebrated Purim as Miss Piggy.<br />
<i>(Blondes do have a lot of fun.)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jKszUpJwothwfsUmPS21Y7ZqeZpfL9AcPqRweDRX41FGclQAsnBujJz4gDCgWEEmW_N8xozJtrTg3U_9OsUmtkgXImbGjU51NOIvcdWejCoIcRNfJWPZlTEW2FkZ9ckVA-WV5Q/s1600/IMG_2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jKszUpJwothwfsUmPS21Y7ZqeZpfL9AcPqRweDRX41FGclQAsnBujJz4gDCgWEEmW_N8xozJtrTg3U_9OsUmtkgXImbGjU51NOIvcdWejCoIcRNfJWPZlTEW2FkZ9ckVA-WV5Q/s400/IMG_2211.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby & I have celebrated many B'nai Mitzvah students becoming "adults."<br />
Here, we celebrated in style at The Zone at the Williams-Brice Stadium.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonfBlj4iF4JPoFGmRnRmRYMAzzfcEUAOB81I33yBhmlBppelpkX5mqiAiv0uQH1dbcDNVsve-MAXb0iIKJbOyCeUXlEVhwcX4s5WhuVmJxM_9s2VnGeEvyaW817UIvAT41NIztQ/s1600/IMG_2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonfBlj4iF4JPoFGmRnRmRYMAzzfcEUAOB81I33yBhmlBppelpkX5mqiAiv0uQH1dbcDNVsve-MAXb0iIKJbOyCeUXlEVhwcX4s5WhuVmJxM_9s2VnGeEvyaW817UIvAT41NIztQ/s400/IMG_2212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always a Florida Gator, I couldn't help causing a little rival mischief at the party.<br />
Cocky had no idea what bit him. #gatorbait</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUvFJEnSwlheWYf_xae3ln6CIBVOKUKSmVuPJcGXW-TIw51CD2L6neyJqnS9DIZeRCjMdzifqDe2nde9cDgrC2PdN4pRk-5s6X01N1UtlKlsssBvrhlg7evMUldB-ky6YrVqL9w/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUvFJEnSwlheWYf_xae3ln6CIBVOKUKSmVuPJcGXW-TIw51CD2L6neyJqnS9DIZeRCjMdzifqDe2nde9cDgrC2PdN4pRk-5s6X01N1UtlKlsssBvrhlg7evMUldB-ky6YrVqL9w/s400/IMG_2256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom came to visit, and we saw <i>Les Mis</i> on stage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6Jri7Es6VkQTPZupya37P1ESwTolaFHnGNHIzj2tYWKRGfi6JPZq8YQ-nihdZ_DiIu6JJYUWEoVbXjl1yjgc9pGtE6AMV2B79o1oZIJFtEV3yKx4wXuVKXU0pNTvtvIsQZDekA/s1600/IMG_2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6Jri7Es6VkQTPZupya37P1ESwTolaFHnGNHIzj2tYWKRGfi6JPZq8YQ-nihdZ_DiIu6JJYUWEoVbXjl1yjgc9pGtE6AMV2B79o1oZIJFtEV3yKx4wXuVKXU0pNTvtvIsQZDekA/s400/IMG_2285.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I led a 15-minute Passover Seder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd8_rBvrkWCExCCzZdq6Lt_twotSCUp7_UVQCxXAinKdmuH_93mEXCxGan-DHGMvTOrXbLFEuS3zttarFkht3DofgYiJKGf_FNKZRV2M-6qIDqxDdgNYYzL00p4XcNViGzG4SZw/s1600/IMG_2298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd8_rBvrkWCExCCzZdq6Lt_twotSCUp7_UVQCxXAinKdmuH_93mEXCxGan-DHGMvTOrXbLFEuS3zttarFkht3DofgYiJKGf_FNKZRV2M-6qIDqxDdgNYYzL00p4XcNViGzG4SZw/s400/IMG_2298.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I enjoyed sharing my favorite haunts in Charleston with my mom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Qb8lQ4obZC9VB-7luYclc7tyXWhx5o1sxL60RIANmvDzXKZ8cj_tuHtqWxzD21h38n6_7MaUQyzHe5aH-0DW9Rah6OFf9M8cnawKou5iAL7P-h2mEU1FQuJFCH661SKlZqpPYQ/s1600/IMG_2299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Qb8lQ4obZC9VB-7luYclc7tyXWhx5o1sxL60RIANmvDzXKZ8cj_tuHtqWxzD21h38n6_7MaUQyzHe5aH-0DW9Rah6OFf9M8cnawKou5iAL7P-h2mEU1FQuJFCH661SKlZqpPYQ/s400/IMG_2299.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, of course, there were shenanigans.<br />
<i>OMG, hai, Tina Fey!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfq4xSwmNPQxAg0uejubMgm4iZl_6lLHrK4QE9zfarZ1NMeQ13Nzq9sTNOR3DAUT5i8T72nR9f_0hk1ag9lBGSJnIiUA0JtclgS7AyrQ7qPsTiOMWJ8cJmF_hUnoL8UwMVStEuA/s1600/IMG_2304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfq4xSwmNPQxAg0uejubMgm4iZl_6lLHrK4QE9zfarZ1NMeQ13Nzq9sTNOR3DAUT5i8T72nR9f_0hk1ag9lBGSJnIiUA0JtclgS7AyrQ7qPsTiOMWJ8cJmF_hUnoL8UwMVStEuA/s400/IMG_2304.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 29th birthday <i>(for the umpteenth year)</i> ushered in cupcakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjgo6-WoR91FR0hXRr1tD8p2WoVzwejQwMzFvEQuF4PRp7bT2WV_0HyW_iIqt7WHhs1azFZa78huUS1FsOoanksVHhYrUBoW8TxsePqPue9ibiJESeqhal9ueFcWvRJpJuu_OlQ/s1600/57d609969ca211e280cd22000a9f18de_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjgo6-WoR91FR0hXRr1tD8p2WoVzwejQwMzFvEQuF4PRp7bT2WV_0HyW_iIqt7WHhs1azFZa78huUS1FsOoanksVHhYrUBoW8TxsePqPue9ibiJESeqhal9ueFcWvRJpJuu_OlQ/s400/57d609969ca211e280cd22000a9f18de_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I got to be queen for the day at work <br />
<i>(though I got none of the perks that come along with the crown)</i>.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm grateful for these happy, healthy moments that I was able to grab, and I know I will hold tight to the memories of them.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.gfunkified.com/" title="GFunkified"><img alt="GFunkified" src="http://mamamash.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ippp-polaroid-125-x-125.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37384190.post-13243528911613511782013-04-01T22:12:00.000-04:002013-04-01T22:12:43.286-04:00A Fresh StartNo foolin' - it's really me!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra7BrEij1lCqZOEQlbJbjBFj9OiX-C-LDMvb_KUO0xdySAeRmkoTyKO-zbo2efyWBNFKJHTBbFEzha5D0VpstITZLG8GSAxbanaM7p5u6xYSKG8aycf9AXSfcrXbI1ZSCLi2iVQ/s1600/800px-Colorful_spring_garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra7BrEij1lCqZOEQlbJbjBFj9OiX-C-LDMvb_KUO0xdySAeRmkoTyKO-zbo2efyWBNFKJHTBbFEzha5D0VpstITZLG8GSAxbanaM7p5u6xYSKG8aycf9AXSfcrXbI1ZSCLi2iVQ/s200/800px-Colorful_spring_garden.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colorful_spring_garden.jpg" target="_blank"><i>image source</i></a></td></tr>
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Thus far, 2013 has been "The Year of Sick" <i>(for both me <b>and</b> my computer)</i>, and while it feels like the only <a href="http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-year-of-balance.html" target="_blank">balancing</a> I've been doing is between doctors' appointments and pill bottles <i>(and external hard drives)</i>, the end of March shone a light at the end of the tunnel. Though it's hard to grasp that we are now one-fourth of the way through what still seems like the new year, I'm happy for a new month and a new season with which to give myself a fresh start <i>(or restart, as the case may be)</i>.<br />
<br />
I think the universe often finds a way to tell us what we need to hear. <a href="http://momastery.com/blog/" target="_blank">Glennon Doyle Melton</a> on her <a href="http://www.today.com/id/51363475#.UVos_aViEy4" target="_blank">Today Show appearance</a> this morning emphasized the importance of showing up and talked about focusing on <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">grabbing a couple great moments a day</span>"</span> as opposed to feeling guilty for not enjoying every moment.<br />
<br />
So here I am, showing up. No apologies, no guilt, no real plan. Just putting one foot in front of the other, typing one letter after another, trying to grab a couple of great moments along the way.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq323/g8rgirl79/Blog%20Layout%20Stuff/signature.png" />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17370673028526668464noreply@blogger.com1