tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50913645092927345082024-03-04T22:18:20.741-06:00Furloughed TimeA bad pun on "borrowed time".
This blog is about the things I love to do on my days off.Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-1649175093475890632016-03-17T14:23:00.000-05:002016-03-17T14:23:26.314-05:00Birthday! Birthday!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
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<![endif]-->
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_szxEB-slaRqtyTzgApmCNND4NgkKGPJ7IfCin0_kA-Drr-Q-aTa4m_IYtElpfxmxcEhWoLbHTMW9wJ6quuFLj3WOGoY2tkF4JwPlWH6fOig3xMpaRn9BOUoifjtg0ZUvmuSPY1zh2fJs/s1600/Robert+3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_szxEB-slaRqtyTzgApmCNND4NgkKGPJ7IfCin0_kA-Drr-Q-aTa4m_IYtElpfxmxcEhWoLbHTMW9wJ6quuFLj3WOGoY2tkF4JwPlWH6fOig3xMpaRn9BOUoifjtg0ZUvmuSPY1zh2fJs/s400/Robert+3-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who isn’t a sucker for a cute kid, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, when that kid happens to be yours it is
simply impossible to be effective at discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t say “no” to this kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know he shouldn’t have brownies at 8am or
watch a fifth movie in a row but when this guy shoots his beautiful hazel eyes
at me, I.just.can’t.say.no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a hint of
a fake tear and I fall for it every single time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o9PkfvJFVabOXgt_LMs1WbGH-3GVsQY-fSypd07SGwA0I5Q0fMSO3E00XJ85SCuPtOb7m9QOazmBliAOBbQIRCb2IiWyhnfXPWuk04bMv4h_1kMeaGQVr1Ajiy6o2pyfuVySBvq2D_6t/s1600/Robert+3-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o9PkfvJFVabOXgt_LMs1WbGH-3GVsQY-fSypd07SGwA0I5Q0fMSO3E00XJ85SCuPtOb7m9QOazmBliAOBbQIRCb2IiWyhnfXPWuk04bMv4h_1kMeaGQVr1Ajiy6o2pyfuVySBvq2D_6t/s400/Robert+3-7.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Birthday Breakfast Pancakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4VHFbEsq7F1cNrgrm_rYSrV7B6llUJojLB1X4BdPpGtf9EJFW2McyzmVxbJQH0QTCFcXamNNeoXBsuHuQJVQcw_-mkJkOGxmkGIQjT4omQeovOfbsspynkaZg3BxC7xA_bX6r35TpeYY/s1600/Robert+3-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4VHFbEsq7F1cNrgrm_rYSrV7B6llUJojLB1X4BdPpGtf9EJFW2McyzmVxbJQH0QTCFcXamNNeoXBsuHuQJVQcw_-mkJkOGxmkGIQjT4omQeovOfbsspynkaZg3BxC7xA_bX6r35TpeYY/s400/Robert+3-8.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a pile as big as him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert, my middle child just turned three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THREE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jeez, life just passes right on by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like a blink!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s my baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My snuggle bug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a boy of few words (literally, we see a
speech therapist once a week with him) but the words he does say are so
special and important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2uDEishy-cvIJgbA-q0-OYyz64u1OvSWYEVpyE7FvW5LyQ6KBE9zNev03dKzHOn-7WLM0Q1N0CbCaMiIfByOaLP30a9EsubSzVD2n-864To7WIOBY5zlZQNF_k_FzUoVl092pmjrNsFV/s1600/Robert+Halloween+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2uDEishy-cvIJgbA-q0-OYyz64u1OvSWYEVpyE7FvW5LyQ6KBE9zNev03dKzHOn-7WLM0Q1N0CbCaMiIfByOaLP30a9EsubSzVD2n-864To7WIOBY5zlZQNF_k_FzUoVl092pmjrNsFV/s400/Robert+Halloween+2015.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two weeks ago he said he first three word phrase, “help me
please”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh, just made me melt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been a big fan of Toy Story for quite
some time now and insists on wearing his Woody cowboy boots almost daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a fan of getting himself dressed all by
himself (a task even my seven year old still struggles with).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s also a big fan of “manman” aka
Batman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uBnyJEKaplliD4QtqiWAYZs2EUUgKwiTDvo1xueenNteXSbAJlmXHr1epTcblP3nnUwbWPOKHPrO73gyNvt20bCTlSxB133N5m80H910txhyfOqZBW_1obhgW_zEPLPAkaEuOs2Jg6fR/s1600/Robert+3-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uBnyJEKaplliD4QtqiWAYZs2EUUgKwiTDvo1xueenNteXSbAJlmXHr1epTcblP3nnUwbWPOKHPrO73gyNvt20bCTlSxB133N5m80H910txhyfOqZBW_1obhgW_zEPLPAkaEuOs2Jg6fR/s400/Robert+3-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He’s outdoorsy, he loves to be in the sandbox, blowing his bubbles,
and driving his cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves his brothers. He does well with
routines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our two hour bedtime struggles
are distant memories and have been replaced with teeth brushing, vitamin taking, and reading a
couple bedtime books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Done and done.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2eyErkEjX9E2iwHI_ZaM8OIL55PsXLZimloT3xp2hg-_myVAnMSCB0CPe1QN4BnzxI-FVtFQME7lHCdKY4cmr2dBbadFPUXJYYuQsWcssq3lpkHHPDfUbtY5x6YgzTwDE0dinsELneGn/s1600/Robert+3-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2eyErkEjX9E2iwHI_ZaM8OIL55PsXLZimloT3xp2hg-_myVAnMSCB0CPe1QN4BnzxI-FVtFQME7lHCdKY4cmr2dBbadFPUXJYYuQsWcssq3lpkHHPDfUbtY5x6YgzTwDE0dinsELneGn/s400/Robert+3-4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For his birthday I asked him what kind of cake he would
like, his reply, “orange”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked
him follow up questions like, “the color orange or the flavor orange?”, I got
the reply, “orange”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, because I can’t say
no to this kid (see above), “orange” is what he got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made him both orange in color and orange in flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a big hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5He2fSzoCS9vFAxzaJRn_Q1tdgHMHDvoeAhUNYc1DmJhtI__MUG2DeXiYM75kuq6NubG8dZQmv-vmDrT5ZJgioMOba5Z7L5EvNuysAlo8RjfgN-2dTvxymt4YH2BH72eivu00teyhHS9x/s1600/Robert+3-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5He2fSzoCS9vFAxzaJRn_Q1tdgHMHDvoeAhUNYc1DmJhtI__MUG2DeXiYM75kuq6NubG8dZQmv-vmDrT5ZJgioMOba5Z7L5EvNuysAlo8RjfgN-2dTvxymt4YH2BH72eivu00teyhHS9x/s400/Robert+3-9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For his gift, we gave him a Daniel Tiger stuffed animal and
two tickets to see the live show of Daniel Tiger, he had a blast on his first
mommy/son date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We definitely will need
to do another one soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have a big year ahead of us:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>potty training, new school, and new day care
are just around the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he’s
ready for it but don't ask his mother if she is ready!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Robert, I love you to the moon and back and I can’t wait
to hear you say those words back to me (and then never stop saying them).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It will be worth the wait! </span>Kisses!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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Love, Momma</div>
Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-19140166513844815092015-12-15T12:50:00.000-06:002016-03-17T14:23:35.084-05:00Celebrating Our Last First Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKWpmUSBAQIeDe6TTyvqSU7S0vpgELylC4O9X9yTtndPW_6QTThU6JbpYJlLa9OpzUcT0hURVjJAStShIqjBA3YQSighi_XdXELYri-SHanCIOT-bpvl9IxInVLRPYKvAZFKU173iHBKW/s1600/Thomas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKWpmUSBAQIeDe6TTyvqSU7S0vpgELylC4O9X9yTtndPW_6QTThU6JbpYJlLa9OpzUcT0hURVjJAStShIqjBA3YQSighi_XdXELYri-SHanCIOT-bpvl9IxInVLRPYKvAZFKU173iHBKW/s640/Thomas+1.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->My little marshmallow turned one year old a few weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to take the time to reflect on this
past year of my life with this sweet baby of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kids really have a way of making you realize just how fast
time goes by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels like just yesterday
my husband and I were just bring Thomas home from the hospital, adjusting to
life with three boys, and figuring out another new routine with another new
baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Like all parents, I feel so lucky to have this little kiddo
in my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His sassy attitude keeps
me on my toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s chatty, he’s spunky,
and he knows what he wants. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves to
try to keep up with his older brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
has helped me set limitations and has taught me to let things go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promised myself to let the guilt go on my
dirty house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For his whole first year, I
promised myself to not stress about piles of clothes, papers, or fur and allow
myself instead to use that time to play with my children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part, I was able to do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let dishes pile up, left laundry go
unfolded, and cleaned the bathrooms far less than I am willing to admit
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of my children will remember any
of those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I hope they
remember are the trips to the zoo, the games we played, and the cuddles we
shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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My maternity leave was hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We decided for financial reasons to keep my (at the time) 20 month old
home 3 days a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caring for a newborn
and a 20 month old is difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first day home with both of them, my 20 month old cried for 3 hours straight, I
in turn called my husband crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as
the weeks went by it got easier, we fell into a really great routine, the
crying (from both of us) ended, and I really didn’t want my time home with them
to come to an end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Those 10 weeks whizzed right by. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNuEUQ5W_7tjlUm-05JEgwEiww7Kkj6MpLRkq9kUOHhPNR4zXEh2KQB5cYI2RJpU0YFCLIhnQGMZCx6eRtsuNfMCYB8ZzJcjIk3Cl-vrY5LWdOd1FsqxtjcfL5k5pPZKGALRnzDOvqqP5/s1600/Thomas+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNuEUQ5W_7tjlUm-05JEgwEiww7Kkj6MpLRkq9kUOHhPNR4zXEh2KQB5cYI2RJpU0YFCLIhnQGMZCx6eRtsuNfMCYB8ZzJcjIk3Cl-vrY5LWdOd1FsqxtjcfL5k5pPZKGALRnzDOvqqP5/s400/Thomas+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I nursed Thomas full time through 8.5 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wasn’t always easy as there were four other
little hands that were reaching for their mommy at any given time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nine months we spent bonding with each
other are irreplaceable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going
to lie, I also wasn’t sad when it ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He didn’t “need” me in the same way that I felt my second born needed me
but maybe it was that I didn’t need him in the same way either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had let go of the mommy guilt this time
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m doing the best that I know I
can do to raise three young gentleman and sometimes that means knowing your limitations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I’ve also learned to take care of myself this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned that taking care of myself and
my needs doesn’t make me a selfish person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, taking care of myself has made me a better mommy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned to tell my husband when I need
some time to myself to do things for me.</div>
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Both of the old children are great brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both are so sweet with their baby
brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The love and affection they
show each other is so cute. I hope to remember these sweet moments five years
from now when all they will do is wrestle on the floor together or ten years from now
when they are trying to out-burp one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Sigh.</span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I've tried to cherish and enjoy all our out last "firsts" with Thomas. They say the third baby gets the shaft because parents tend to not care about the milestones or care to take as many pictures, a "been there done that" phenomenon . I've tried my hardest to not make that a reality but the truth be told, it isn't that we "don't care", its because my time with him is so precious. My hands are busier and that makes the time we do spend together just that much more special. I'm busy living with him than busy writing about him. I'm too busy cuddling his snugly little body to start that scrapbook, I'm too busy kissing his chubby little checks to take a time out to snap a picture of the moment. I'm too busy living in the moment than taking the time to wish for the next. I love him and I love my crazy little life. </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">****Photos all done by the talented <a href="http://www.jessetakespictures.com/">Jesse Lee Photography</a>. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-78465024813632729242015-11-25T14:24:00.003-06:002016-03-17T14:23:46.607-05:00The Holiday Season is Upon Us<br />
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It's that time of year! Gift giving is just around the corning and I'm so happy to have one major item checked off my gift list; my mother in-law's annual calendar. I thought I would share the pictures of my 2016 version here because, you know, its been awhile since I've check in here with something crafty. <br />
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No doubt about it. Three kids is kicking my butt. Something has got to give and most days that my sanity....but.....not today! Today I'm checking items off my "to do" list left and right! Boom!<br />
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Ok, about this calendar. Most of my supplies are from Papertrey Ink but I did get the digital calendar off of etsy. If you love it as much as I do, you can buy one here: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1068636021">505design</a> . Isn't it the cutest? I love all the nice bright colors. Most of the patterend papers are from various Etsy shops, if you see something you are dying to get your hands on, contact me and I'll send you a link to the shop! <br />
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Without further ado, enjoy!<br />
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Well, that's a wrap! I'm in love with this version of the calendar and I hope she loves it just as much!<br />
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And now, one more item to cross off my "to do" list. Cheers everyone! Enjoy Thanksgiving tomorrow with family, food, and a Packer WIN!<br />
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Till next time, PEACE! Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-46378628854268947312015-08-31T17:14:00.001-05:002015-08-31T17:14:48.459-05:00Whole30 Wrap Up<img alt="finished-the-w30-fb-cover" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-18433" src="http://whole30.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/finished-the-w30-fb-cover-660x244.jpg" height="244" width="660" /><br />
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Yep that's right I finished the Whole30!!! YIPPEE SKIPPY! Here are my before and after pictures. A part of me is cringing by posting these but jeez, I'm working sooooo hard, I need to do this! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM32NzZhuNQFCw3HNvPXJ3m7ew4uo6rPFh4w5gwFpanAlBcQffjA3-te721EMaQ_H-M672b9S4pOdy7PEZ41JEiyKzFBzWwLeYgm4twJwyBTK2dvaupk4rIy3nAUlEedFWiPgUdpCvtlw9/s1600/IMG_2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM32NzZhuNQFCw3HNvPXJ3m7ew4uo6rPFh4w5gwFpanAlBcQffjA3-te721EMaQ_H-M672b9S4pOdy7PEZ41JEiyKzFBzWwLeYgm4twJwyBTK2dvaupk4rIy3nAUlEedFWiPgUdpCvtlw9/s400/IMG_2835.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE WHOLE30</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLwjVOhtCQc9H61zG0v-k2suvSziBbl0vLqbmGpBDx8pqxm0Ck1DBX6vpkUwPQnx_YB1zPAl18lDHfbKpjrNLcjcd30GO-zZsGR6U6OKHwP_NMNCX-4JGa6FajcgNiMY1jhn2rjwwUtpD/s1600/IMG_3108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLwjVOhtCQc9H61zG0v-k2suvSziBbl0vLqbmGpBDx8pqxm0Ck1DBX6vpkUwPQnx_YB1zPAl18lDHfbKpjrNLcjcd30GO-zZsGR6U6OKHwP_NMNCX-4JGa6FajcgNiMY1jhn2rjwwUtpD/s400/IMG_3108.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER 30 DAYS ON WHOLE30 </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7fta0aUbL0S8n0jg3rlpxVNrvkAs5Hvzu0QMD5zctluX-e7UGE3vOJsXvrF-gfhkCP88XiLVWPeNvlyhvHQW3pvqXfEqydx2dWwXmsR6mo9wXujhz6OuWzmRQwhrwkK7pFlFSBLbFTPc/s1600/IMG_2838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7fta0aUbL0S8n0jg3rlpxVNrvkAs5Hvzu0QMD5zctluX-e7UGE3vOJsXvrF-gfhkCP88XiLVWPeNvlyhvHQW3pvqXfEqydx2dWwXmsR6mo9wXujhz6OuWzmRQwhrwkK7pFlFSBLbFTPc/s400/IMG_2838.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE WHOLE30</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAnX7emQJa2PjszqKdPimxkUzRnrP6F7dAGWGHLSue-BbRlhlcv2CGlYQYGThgskje_04ZrPeKO0xf31JlF3ki5X_9ogzqQTVuvmKIs2VtvuYDpifRExPDOC2v1BC-2I6W42HcW0JVXy8/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAnX7emQJa2PjszqKdPimxkUzRnrP6F7dAGWGHLSue-BbRlhlcv2CGlYQYGThgskje_04ZrPeKO0xf31JlF3ki5X_9ogzqQTVuvmKIs2VtvuYDpifRExPDOC2v1BC-2I6W42HcW0JVXy8/s400/IMG_3111.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER 30 DAYS ON WHOLE30</td></tr>
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Same outfit, same awkward bathroom shots. <b>Noticeable difference, right? </b><br />
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Here are my stats: <br />
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Weight: -14.5 lbs<br />
Chest: -3"<br />
belly button: -2.5"<br />
hips: -1<br />
thighs: -1.5"<br />
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Amazing. Near the end I had a lot of ups and downs. Aches and pains. I JUST WANTED A CARB! But I pushed through. I didn't give in to my temptations. I kept thinking, this is "only 30 days" and and I can DO ANYTHING for 30 days. I'm so happy I did this. It was exactly the push I needed. I've been trying to lose weight the "right way" and the "healthy way" for several months and I stalled, this pushed the scale in the right direction again and slayed my sugar dragon. I'm overjoyed that I'm doing this with REAL food, no pills, and no supplements. The only money invested is my grocery bill (FYI, it was higher than normal). <br />
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I have no doubt that I will struggle and have some stumbles along the way but I now know what will work for me. When I trip up (which I will), I will re-examine this eating plan and "get real" with my self if/when needed. I've already committed myself to the 5 lb rule. I gain 5 lbs, I start another whole30 STAT. When I'm not on the stricked 30 day food plan, I'll attempt to follow the whole30 rules as much as possible but I'll enjoy my carbs (beer, bread, sugar) a bit. Perhaps one day I'll give those up all together but TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY! <br />
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I hope I've inspired you to try your own whole30. You really have nothing to lose, if it doesn't work for you, you'll rest assured knowing you're eating REAL FOOD and nobody is a "loser" when that's the case. Nobody died from eating too many veggies, right? Be well everyone! <br />
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<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-60064762647817819852015-08-29T10:29:00.002-05:002015-08-29T10:32:16.869-05:00Whole30 Week 4<br />
<img alt="W9 Manifesto-for-FB-Cover NEW" class="alignnone wp-image-19397 size-large" height="244" src="http://whole30.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/W9-Manifesto-for-FB-Cover-NEW-660x244.jpg" width="660" /><br />
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Welcome back everyone! This is my forth and final week a recording all my meals while attempting my first ever whole30! You can see Week 1, 2, and 3, <a href="http://www.furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2015/07/whole30-week-1.html">here</a>, <a href="http://www.furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2015/08/whole30-week-2.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2015/08/whole30-week-3.html">here</a>. <b> </b><br />
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Sorry, I didn't take a ton of pictures, life got busy and that phone of mine just didn't come out as much this week! Here we go:<br />
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<b>Day 24</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes<br />
Lunch: LO pork chop and potatoes<br />
Dinner: steak, zucchini, sweet potato "fries"<br />
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Day 25<br />
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Breakfast: banana "pancakes"<br />
Lunch: LO steak, zucchini, sweet potato fries<br />
Dinner:shrimp salad. So so good. 1 lbs of shrimp only made it through for my husband and I, if you make this, make a lot! :) <br />
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Day 26<br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs<br />
Lunch: chicken burger, avocado, grapes<br />
Dinner: spaghetti squash with spaghetti sauce/ground beef<br />
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Day 27<br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes<br />
Lunch: LO spaghetti squash<br />
Dinner: beef burger with mushroom bun and grilled tinfoil potatoes and carrots<br />
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Day 28<br />
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Breakfast: strawberry banana coconut milk smoothie (which my 2 yo LOVED)<br />
Lunch: LO burger and tinfoil potatoes<br />
Dinner: hot sauce chicken legs with homemade ranch dressing and asparagus<br />
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Day 29<br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with roasted potato and carrots<br />
Lunch: LO of chicken legs with potatoes<br />
Dinner: LO pot roast<br />
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Day 30<br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with roasted potatoes and carrots<br />
Lunch: Leftover pot roast<br />
Dinner: TACOS.....I'm done and didn't do dinner!!! They tasted fantastic :)<br />
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Stay tuned for my results, thoughts, and feelings on the whole30 program! <br />
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<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-69043579861080223392015-08-27T17:01:00.001-05:002015-08-27T17:01:15.384-05:00Whole30 Week 3<img alt="EatWhole30-Facebook" class="alignnone wp-image-19190 size-large" src="http://whole30.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/EatWhole30-Facebook-660x244.png" height="244" width="660" /><br />
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I'm back again with a week 3 of my whole30 experiment. 30 days of eating healthy fats, fruits, and veggies. You can see my week 1 and week 2 <a href="http://www.furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2015/07/whole30-week-1.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2015/08/whole30-week-2.html">here</a>. I'm really excited to wrap this up and tell you my results already! :) <br />
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LO=Left Overs<br />
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<b>Day 18</b><br />
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Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs w/ LO stuffed pepper<br />
Lunch: stuffed pepper and 2 oranges<br />
Dinner: stewed beef, with carrots, celery, and potatoes<br />
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<b>Day 19</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs (wasn't hungry)<br />
Lunch: left over stew<br />
Dinner: spaghetti squash with spaghetti sauce with ground beef<br />
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<b>Day 20</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 egg omelet<br />
Lunch: leftover spaghetti squash with sauce<br />
Dinner: Mediterranean Salad with chicken, onion, olives, tomatoes SUPER YUM<br />
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<b>Day 21</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 egg omelet with tiny chicken cutlet and LO Mediterranean salad<br />
Lunch: LO spaghetti squash<br />
Dinner: Chicken with broccoli & potatoes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Pdh-0RExGXH3Q3MIZA59LGmIo95BL4g38GfTjwZZO1PP-TgoFrMaHiwBIBw0WyR2Wu1agfyLKIyd_MPgVgfXfQsa7G4fz4yaZtPKbxt2WY-dFkAENmbrgfRrEvxG6PyeFhXxA32t_35f/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Pdh-0RExGXH3Q3MIZA59LGmIo95BL4g38GfTjwZZO1PP-TgoFrMaHiwBIBw0WyR2Wu1agfyLKIyd_MPgVgfXfQsa7G4fz4yaZtPKbxt2WY-dFkAENmbrgfRrEvxG6PyeFhXxA32t_35f/s640/IMG_3023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Day 22</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes<br />
Lunch: Mediterranean Salad<br />
Dinner: almonds/coconut/raisins (too busy with the kids to eat!)<br />
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<b> Day 23</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes<br />
Lunch: Mediterranean Salad<br />
Dinner: pork chop with potatoes and broccoli<br />
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This week was kind of tough. Just like last week, the boredom is really setting in with my menu. It would help if my crazy life would stop being crazy for 10 minutes so I could menu plan. Well, that didn't happen! Even though I'm bored and I've had this side ache that won't go away, I'm forging ahead. No quitter here! <br />
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See you soon with my 4th week and a wrap up really really soon! :) <br />
<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-38853319200584999762015-08-11T08:10:00.002-05:002015-08-11T08:11:10.602-05:00Whole30 Week #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="keep-calm-fb-cover" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-18440" src="http://whole30.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/keep-calm-fb-cover-660x244.jpg" height="244" width="660" /><br />
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I'm back with week 2 of my whole 30 challenge. <br />
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LO=Leftovers<br />
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<b>Day 9:</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with leftover brussel sprouts/potatoes/ and turkey that I turned into a "hash".<br />
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Lunch: salad topped with fruit salsa and turkey meatballs.<br />
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Dinner: Chicken burger topped with an avocado and salsa, sweet potato "fries" and green beans.<br />
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<b>Day 10:</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 scrambled egss with bacon & LO sweet potato "fries" and green beans.<br />
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Lunch: Chili lime chicken burger topped with an avocado and salsa. More LO sweet potato "fries" and green beans.<br />
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Snack: Bannana ice cream<br />
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Dinner: Turkey breast, white potatoes and carrots roasted with LO cauliflower "rice".<br />
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<b>Day 11:</b><br />
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Breakfast: Breakfast Fratata with LO brocoli and sweet potatoes, and turkey.<br />
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Lunch: LO turkey, cauliflower "rice" potato/carrot mix<br />
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Dinner: bannana topped with cashew butter and coconut. LO spaghetti sauce and lamb (plain)...trying to clean out the fridge :)<br />
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***I was exhausted here! I went to bed at 8:30, painted my boys room the day before so everything is sore. I really just wanted to "throw in the towel" but I fought through the urge and didn't cheat. Tomorrow is a new day!!!!<br />
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<b>Day 12:</b><br />
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Breakfast: Breakfast fratata with broccoli, sweet potatoes and turkey<br />
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Lunch: Chili lime turkey burger topped with avocado, and green beans (on the side, not on the burger). :)<br />
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Dinner: Pork burger with sauteed mushrooms and asparagus. ---this was soooo delicious, I forgot to take a picture! <br />
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This day was much better and I'm so happy I didn't cheat!!!!<br />
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<b>Day 13:</b><br />
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Breakfast: LO breakfast fratata (see above).<br />
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Lunch: LO pork burgers, mushrooms, and asperagus<br />
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Dinner: steak & squash<br />
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<b>Day 14:</b><br />
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Breakfast: 1/2 LO steak with 2 fried eggs<br />
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Lunch: chicken salad with lettuce wraps, snacked on few sweet potato chips (from my kids plates, this is probably a cheat as the bag said it "could be" made with canola oil, but I only had a few). Orange slices and LOTS of grapes.<br />
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Dinner: Roasted chicken with white potatoes and carrots. Watermelon.<br />
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<b>Day 15:</b><br />
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Breakfast: 1/2 steak with 2 fried eggs, grapes.<br />
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Lunch: chicken salad with lettuce, cashews, and strawberries.<br />
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Dinner: LO roasted chicken with white potatoes and carrots. watermelon.<br />
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<b>Day 16:</b><br />
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Breakfast: 3 eggs scrambledc with 1/2 sausage burger and sweet potatoes.<br />
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Lunch: sausage burger with grilled onions and pineapple with a portabella mushroom "bun".<br />
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Dinner: Tilapia (white fish) with blueberry salsa, sauteed kale, and sweet potatoes. <br />
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<b>Day 17:</b><br />
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Breakfast: banana topped with almond butter and coconut. <br />
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Lunch: turkey burger with sweet potatoes and kale<br />
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Dinner: stuffed red pepper which had beef, kale, sweet potatoes and the southwest spice.<br />
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***another bad day. I felt terrible, I was board with my food, I was tired, I took a nap and also went to bed early. I'm trying to sleep it off!<br />
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Well that rounds up week two. You can see this week was bit harder to come up with "new" foods. I got a little less creative and because of that, I started to get board with my meals. I was also really tired this week. I don't know if it was the food or just my life with three kiddos (still nursing one). I definetely hit the "break it or make it" stage but so far I'm MAKING IT!!! Woot Woot! I don't feel as "thin" as a did last week. Last week it felt like the weight was just melting off, this week, I feel like I gained. I'm working my way through the book as I do this and that seems pretty common so no need to panic. Since I usually weigh myself everyday, I've found the freedom from the scale has been a bit liberating (you weight on day 1 and not again till day 31). <br />
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My sugar dragon is under control, I can't believe it! I passed on donuts, cookies, and cake all of which were offered to be throughout the week. I didn't even have an urge to eat those items. Amazing! I would have taken bets before this started that that NEVER would have been the case for me!<br />
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As you can see, I've falling a bit behind in posting my food. LIFE just doesn't stop! I got high hopes to get my next post up in a couple days! If you want to see my week 1 meals with pictures and links to recipes go here: <a href="http://furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2015/07/whole30-week-1.html">Week 1.</a> <br />
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<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-90964080510000397732015-07-20T16:57:00.001-05:002015-08-05T07:18:19.123-05:00Whole30 Week #1<img alt="doing-the-w30-fb-cover" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-18432" src="http://whole30.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/doing-the-w30-fb-cover-660x244.jpg" height="244" width="660" /> <br />
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Well, as promised here are the meals I ate for the first week or so on whole30. It's going good so far. Food is great, the adjustments haven't been that difficult, and the cravings are in check. Yeah!<br />
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LO= left overs<br />
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<b>Day 1</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ1MoFSnEFtJgxsaUs7zXEBxFsm8wERpmcOeyW_tQXnRzIP2HG-a9dQd80E5dHnVSWuX_RwI1s555gDmKuo8U5b8uG4fr_a4H_bGWXPr-LexH5XNDyslZjb201g70Wu-6cHg0X5P8bnIn/s1600/IMG_2831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ1MoFSnEFtJgxsaUs7zXEBxFsm8wERpmcOeyW_tQXnRzIP2HG-a9dQd80E5dHnVSWuX_RwI1s555gDmKuo8U5b8uG4fr_a4H_bGWXPr-LexH5XNDyslZjb201g70Wu-6cHg0X5P8bnIn/s320/IMG_2831.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Breakfast: <a href="http://www.fromthiskitchentable.com/sweet-potato-breakfast-casserole/">sweet potato breakfast casserole</a> (I skipped her seasonings and added a southwest seasoning blend from Wildtree) DELICIOUS, coffee with coconut milk<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6xQX4-etsykZIb_KfbiymevcWjtFSC4y6wVJWtIaAmt8bPxGlorAxCxyP6i621cNco8kKqBgYlV0tGhc3LHjkdFaPBaN3nqdVlkDzuDIy_Pdlwz6uqvw4XEaJvILLJArMwQ0S5o_4gD0/s1600/IMG_2832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6xQX4-etsykZIb_KfbiymevcWjtFSC4y6wVJWtIaAmt8bPxGlorAxCxyP6i621cNco8kKqBgYlV0tGhc3LHjkdFaPBaN3nqdVlkDzuDIy_Pdlwz6uqvw4XEaJvILLJArMwQ0S5o_4gD0/s320/IMG_2832.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lunch: spinach salad with chicken, strawberries, lemon vinaigrette (just lemon juice, EVOO, S&P), almonds, and avocados.<br />
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Snack: mint chocolate Larabar<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLqHNLL8lHBhSBJ17O-38_Xyv9HoWal0Mft6dyjq1YE9i-Pbfyvsa7NHrIQu_PZaDEvX2creiObHqpoBPPMfKEynh7BG0Q_xsVXbrRt05VZElK__j2cOnW6TkrN-G7xxiUhUY8T4U6ABb/s1600/IMG_2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLqHNLL8lHBhSBJ17O-38_Xyv9HoWal0Mft6dyjq1YE9i-Pbfyvsa7NHrIQu_PZaDEvX2creiObHqpoBPPMfKEynh7BG0Q_xsVXbrRt05VZElK__j2cOnW6TkrN-G7xxiUhUY8T4U6ABb/s320/IMG_2834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dinner: <a href="http://bydawnnicole.com/2014/05/grilled-chicken-with-tarragon-mushroom-cream-sauce-whole30-compliant.html">Chicken with mushroom sauce</a> and broccoli.<br />
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<b>Day 2</b><br />
Breakfast: LO breakfast casserole, coffee with coconut milk<br />
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Lunch: pulled LO chicken with mushroom sauce and broccoli<br />
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Snack: Larabar <br />
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Dinner: Pulled pork, avocado, <a href="http://bydawnnicole.com/2014/05/oriental-chicken-coleslaw-salad-whole-30-compliant.html">Hawaiian coleslaw</a>. I just roasted a pork roast in my slow cooker with some garlic, S&P, and a little water. <br />
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I had LOTS of hot flashes here. Weather? Food? Hormones? I don't know.<br />
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<b>Day 3</b><br />
Breakfast: LO breakfast casserole, coffee with coconut milk<br />
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Lunch: LO pulled pork, coleslaw, avocado, raspberries<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuzD9ODixV32lzNeqmWP1k-4XjaaYa2vzbhT2Sm_hx4XsT0qS5c4Rkro3oij6NWX_PSrF5HpHgAnftswZx1FH6mFAlweEt0NwbzPUVlOXqIuw2Lj74442WimNrquRIinrhOIlzIDuyBIh/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuzD9ODixV32lzNeqmWP1k-4XjaaYa2vzbhT2Sm_hx4XsT0qS5c4Rkro3oij6NWX_PSrF5HpHgAnftswZx1FH6mFAlweEt0NwbzPUVlOXqIuw2Lj74442WimNrquRIinrhOIlzIDuyBIh/s320/IMG_2846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dinner: More LO pulled pork but on lettuce with coleslaw, avocado and green beans.<br />
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Snack: banana ice cream with nutmeg & cinnamon. Take 2-3 frozen bananas (makes 2 servings), I find it best to cut the bananas into chunks before freezing. Add the bananas to your food processor and add about 1/2 cup coconut milk. Sprinkle in some freshly grated nutmeg and cinnamon and blend till smooth and creamy. This treat with satisfy the strongest ice cream craving. PROMISE!<br />
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Still LOTS more hot flashes here. Hard to say if it is diet, or hormones, I did have a baby 7 months ago......<br />
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<b>Day 4</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3APFUX4IMFUppmhp0uz0g3OIYQqeDVF1p_bcLn5ncAkt-YPAROcSDkqqAytvbuavoOFgtoBOtssjczZEsqsmfRJXWtKgy7ilSIm9oYi0_BnciO8zzdp13l4jwEAwMNSmhoRAia5P6CzY/s1600/IMG_2852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3APFUX4IMFUppmhp0uz0g3OIYQqeDVF1p_bcLn5ncAkt-YPAROcSDkqqAytvbuavoOFgtoBOtssjczZEsqsmfRJXWtKgy7ilSIm9oYi0_BnciO8zzdp13l4jwEAwMNSmhoRAia5P6CzY/s320/IMG_2852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Breakfast: 3 egg omelet with diced sweet potatoes inside the omelet, 2 slices of bacon, coffee with coconut milk<br />
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Lunch: LO pulled pork, coleslaw, avocado, green bean. Banana with cashew butter, unsweetened coconut flakes, and walnuts. <br />
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Snack: 2 cuties<br />
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Dinner:spaghetti squash with lamb marinara sauce (Aldi's has a sugar free marinara that is pretty good), and baked asparagus. <br />
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Still more hot flashes. Ugh, I think it is the diet. I think it is all the sugar being flushed from my body. <br />
<br />
<b>Day 5</b><br />
Breakfast: 3 egg omelet with sweet potato hash with onions and 2 slices of bacon.<br />
<br />
Snack: Baby carrots<br />
<br />
Lunch: LO spaghetti squash and asparagus.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxjfrqOylZG4rE3eRFTkQ3bj9g-VQUyKLLGIT8SQ3ftjEJ3AZw1Zd-0jIW0xfPhqmb2Z8c-jI7LuBizWhLQa6PcAMULmvFYJMQh1EVJnXnor-9Q2hC-iW6XUnkmX9tytmuQNaZeGSw4sR/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxjfrqOylZG4rE3eRFTkQ3bj9g-VQUyKLLGIT8SQ3ftjEJ3AZw1Zd-0jIW0xfPhqmb2Z8c-jI7LuBizWhLQa6PcAMULmvFYJMQh1EVJnXnor-9Q2hC-iW6XUnkmX9tytmuQNaZeGSw4sR/s320/IMG_2859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Snack: strawberries with unsweetened coconut flakes<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOh7g1efRf53YgcexWY8HKb9mj9UpRJwTqmctBvAQ8rF4-MgRdPJzCHWKHmIL8RU5pkcnQA5tVo4ypT9LpKBa7r7eQjnMJPTdcX7IHFOBVK7Psh40NlN2PrhPm0YNMWabLUPLptkjhAG0/s1600/IMG_2866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOh7g1efRf53YgcexWY8HKb9mj9UpRJwTqmctBvAQ8rF4-MgRdPJzCHWKHmIL8RU5pkcnQA5tVo4ypT9LpKBa7r7eQjnMJPTdcX7IHFOBVK7Psh40NlN2PrhPm0YNMWabLUPLptkjhAG0/s320/IMG_2866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dinner: <a href="http://whole30.com/2015/05/the-best-of-whole30recipes-fun-with-fruit/">orange teriyaki turkey meatballs</a> with carrots & Brussels sprouts.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 6</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVtkOFiUbPeNnCT3aetn-cKUArgBZZZI5g_RDEz-FytxheWTjXP0YF1q9ZoHxVdzfjoRyyx3SBmsIrhyphenhypheniXZBTQOR3-CABH06go6UYYfnzq0l1ahFGtEV3_Rc2Wp7TsbFzkSqhjs5wJM0I/s1600/IMG_2868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVtkOFiUbPeNnCT3aetn-cKUArgBZZZI5g_RDEz-FytxheWTjXP0YF1q9ZoHxVdzfjoRyyx3SBmsIrhyphenhypheniXZBTQOR3-CABH06go6UYYfnzq0l1ahFGtEV3_Rc2Wp7TsbFzkSqhjs5wJM0I/s320/IMG_2868.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with LO from dinner turned into a hash<br />
<br />
<br />
Lunch: chicken salad with <a href="http://whole30.com/2014/05/mayo/">homemade mayo</a>, almonds, raisins, and a side of carrots. I'm not going to lie, I like the store bought mayo better (which I am really surprised about).<br />
<br />
Dinner: Grilled steaks, roasted white potatoes, green beans with almonds. Mix of fruit for "dessert" of pineapples, strawberries, and melons.<br />
<br />
We were at my in-laws for dinner and my MIL was nice enough to make something Whole30 compliant.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 7</b><br />
Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with LO fried white potatoes and carrots.<br />
<br />
Lunch: Chicken Salad with carrots<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObuRXGJcgQnl-2KAZNlnwYXbnHVoIYkDSmSmVp1_tA9sIwnqFLxXPD0lqmx3e3zD1nqBBpIko10-R_kT0NE-GtzUXJ6_6-CQ_LoOmhJVsGHabUv6i0VZ22ZZeT11iYIdRGkjFhaWaPV52/s1600/IMG_2874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObuRXGJcgQnl-2KAZNlnwYXbnHVoIYkDSmSmVp1_tA9sIwnqFLxXPD0lqmx3e3zD1nqBBpIko10-R_kT0NE-GtzUXJ6_6-CQ_LoOmhJVsGHabUv6i0VZ22ZZeT11iYIdRGkjFhaWaPV52/s320/IMG_2874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dinner: <a href="https://onceamonthmeals.com/recipes/paleo-jalapeno-chicken-burgers/#_a5y_p=602175">Jalepeno Chicken Burgers</a> on a portabella mushroom "bun". Sweet potato fries.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 8</b><br />
Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs, banana with cashews, cashew butter and unsweetened coconut flakes.<br />
<br />
Lunch: LO chicken burger topped with 1/2 an avocado, and baby carrots.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrimWJkx74tSINFcIaTdU93TRryPdu30PKIsj5JvaSuKj4vUQoPL4DvxdKwBJ1ijbrwJO3p8JVCpaIgsKT8nI6Bs1mLTWufV8NE_rZLzaIkxQizC7S1sQi1uZBH97lYMUSEk2au1e1_nGD/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrimWJkx74tSINFcIaTdU93TRryPdu30PKIsj5JvaSuKj4vUQoPL4DvxdKwBJ1ijbrwJO3p8JVCpaIgsKT8nI6Bs1mLTWufV8NE_rZLzaIkxQizC7S1sQi1uZBH97lYMUSEk2au1e1_nGD/s320/IMG_2877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dinner: Cod with <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/5-ingredient-pear-pomegranate-salsa/">pomegranate pear salsa</a> with <a href="http://meatified.com/lime-coconut-cauliflower-rice/">coconut "rice" cauliflower</a>. REALLY, REALLY good.<br />
<br />
Snack: banana ice cream. Yum!<br />
<br />
Well, so far so good. It was a great first week of eating. Food tasted great. I LOVE the sweet potato hash with my eggs, the slightly spicy southwest mix from Wildtree really works well here (I don't sell it, if you don't know a demonstrator, find a blend in your local grocery store that is whole30 compliant).<br />
<br />
The hot flashes were intense. I think it was my hormones. It was probably a combination of getting my period (really bad timing) paired with all the sugar and "junk" leaving my system. <br />
<br />
I'm already feeling lighter and no joke, my pants that were too tight to wear comfortably are already fitting. Amazing. Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-20021785154321744302015-07-10T08:13:00.001-05:002015-07-10T08:13:15.235-05:00Whole30 Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="doing-the-w30-IG" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18434" height="300" src="http://whole30.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/doing-the-w30-IG-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<br />
Well, I found myself attempting something a bit crazy this summer. Whole30. Every heard of it? No? Neither did I until a few short weeks ago. I found myself in a rut, trying to eat healthy but having this intolerable sweet tooth that was landing me with a bowl of ice cream every night on my couch. I was tired, stressed, and I just couldn't get my hands on enough sugar.<br />
<br />
At work, a friend told me that her sister in-law did this crazy meal plan for 30 days which has some pretty rigid rules like: no dairy, no alcohol, no sugar, no beans. She told me her SIL lost 12 or 13 pounds (I can't exactly remember) following this plan for 30 days and it changed her relationship with food.<br />
<br />
Ding.Ding.Ding. That's exactly what I need. I need to end this bad relationship with my food. <br />
<br />
So five days after hearing the word Whole30 for the first time, I found myself attempting this crazy 30 day journey. And of course because I have a ton of free time (hahaha) I thought I would document what I ate along the way. The Whole30 program actually recommends that you DON'T track your food (I think because you're over thinking it then) so I think this is one of the many reasons you won't find a lot of menu plans online. If you're thinking about attempting the whole30 program yourself, perhaps you'll find inspiration in my journey. <br />
<br />
You can read about whole30 on their website here: <a href="http://whole30.com/">All about Whole30</a>. But here is a really quick summary of what you CAN NOT eat:<br />
<br />
1. No Sugar. None. Not even honey. Read your labels!<br />
2. No alcohol. Not even for cooking.<br />
3. No grains, none of them. No rice, Bulgar, oatmeal, quinoa, noodles, etc.<br />
4. No legumes, including peanuts and peanut butter.<br />
5. No dairy. This means no milk or CHEESE!<br />
6. No caarageenan, MSG, or sulfites. Again, read your labels!<br />
7. No Paleo-fied "treats".<br />
<br />
You might be asking, what's left? LOTS. I promise! Fruits, veggies, meat, nuts, and eggs. And you'll eat a lot of these items. You'll also learn, there aren't a lot of recipes because you really don't need any. Cook your protein, pair it with a veggie and you're done! And if you are wondering if this is "kid friendly". Yes! My kids (7, 2, and 7 months) usually ate the same meal right along side my husband and I. There's nothing crazy here folks, after all, it's <u>whole food</u>! <br />
<br />
Here are the reasons I wanted to attempt this program:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Lose weight. </b><br />
Ok, big elephant in the room. I'm doing this to <u>lose weight</u>.<br />
<br />
I want to get back to a healthy weight for LOTS of reasons but here are some of my top reasons.<br />
<br />
I got gestational diabetes with my final pregnancy. There's a 60% chance that I'll get type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years because of that. Being overweight is one of the biggest reasons type 2 would occur. Obviously, I'd like to reduce my risk of type two! <br />
<br />
I want to play with my kids. Without getting winded, without struggling, without getting tired. I got 3 very young children. They deserve active healthy parents that will live for a very long time. I want to see them grow into very old men.<br />
<br />
I want to buy clothes "off the rack". I don't want to go to plus size stores or sections. I also really want to go to some trendy second hand places and buy nice used clothes at a discount (that's a lot harder to find in plus sizes). Buying used clothes would be a huge budget saver! <br />
<br />
<b>2. Break my sugar addiction.</b><br />
It's a real thing. I love sugar more than anything. My typical breakfast is sugar: two cups of coffee, each with 3 tablespoons of sugary creamer, two chocolate chip granola bars (candy bar anyone?), and homemade yogurt with chocolate chips, honey, and sweetened shredded coconut added to it (again, candy bar anyone?). No wonder I wanted sugar all day long. <b>I wanted this program to tame my sugar dragon. </b>I want to be in control of me again, not my cravings. <br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>3. Cure my Candida. </b><br />
For the past 20 years I've had an off again on again problem with candida (skin yeast infection). Mainly on again. I read that this program resolved candida for some and I was hoping it would do the same for me. <b> </b><br />
<br />
Here's a few before shots. I wasn't going to post these, they make me cringe. But, a friend and I have been having a lot of body image discussions and I need to start feeling good about myself, no matter what size I am. I also need to remember that my family and friends love me for who I am and not based on the number on the scale. They would not love me less if the scale said 900 lbs and would not love me more just because the scale says 120 lbs. They love me for me and I need to start doing the same. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhy7XTjYyoiGiqRogm-mrqrLpA_G3kU1-iwgVdo8f3Uh3H9qYExyPuRygf0VvWkLBG8IM2-XYGcc4w2IMRy4i_us4JxM0bHNPwjh1xWfNEepaVKCVfFwrjw0NLSrGkIH07VrQZc0xjrXZ/s1600/photo_picmonkeyed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhy7XTjYyoiGiqRogm-mrqrLpA_G3kU1-iwgVdo8f3Uh3H9qYExyPuRygf0VvWkLBG8IM2-XYGcc4w2IMRy4i_us4JxM0bHNPwjh1xWfNEepaVKCVfFwrjw0NLSrGkIH07VrQZc0xjrXZ/s320/photo_picmonkeyed.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_VwKoCQ1nXdqp27glf7ZCdHVyDtTDjb6M1wU5tbrHDJjP8pVmyzLX3BcYm11Pb48oR3iCgQNy_1iVzsEtxFjFECH0jWp7cQvuRE7x7YUlB6pPa6MQlKrMbwrrzwV1A26TBtbe23s_p7r/s1600/photo_picmonkeyed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_VwKoCQ1nXdqp27glf7ZCdHVyDtTDjb6M1wU5tbrHDJjP8pVmyzLX3BcYm11Pb48oR3iCgQNy_1iVzsEtxFjFECH0jWp7cQvuRE7x7YUlB6pPa6MQlKrMbwrrzwV1A26TBtbe23s_p7r/s320/photo_picmonkeyed-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, now that that is out of of the way......wish me luck! See you soon! I'll be back with my first week on this journey real soon. </div>
<br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<br />
<li><b>Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.</b>
No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, Splenda, Equal,
Nutrasweet, xylitol, stevia, etc. Read your labels, because companies
sneak sugar into products in ways you might not recognize.</li>
<li><b>Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.</b> (And it should go without saying, but no tobacco products of any sort, either.)</li>
<li><b>Do not eat grains.</b> This includes (but is not
limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur,
sorghum, amaranth, buckwheat, sprouted grains and all of those
gluten-free pseudo-grains like quinoa. This also includes all the ways
we add wheat, corn and rice into our foods in the form of bran, germ,
starch and so on. Again, read your labels.</li>
<li><b>Do not eat legumes.</b> This includes beans of all
kinds (black, red, pinto, navy, white, kidney, lima, fava, etc.), peas,
chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also
includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and
all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin).</li>
<li><b>Do not eat dairy</b>. This includes cow, goat or
sheep’s milk products such as cream, cheese (hard or soft), kefir,
yogurt (even Greek), and sour cream… with the exception of clarified
butter or ghee. (See below for details.)</li>
<li><b>Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.</b> If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30.</li>
<li><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-weight: bold;">Do not try to re-create baked goods, junk foods, or treats* with “approved” ingredients. </span><span style="color: #3f3f3f;">Continuing
to eat your old, unhealthy foods made with Whole30 ingredients is
totally missing the point, and will tank your results faster than you
can say “Paleo Pop-Tarts.” Remember, these are the same foods that got
you into health-trouble in the first place—and a pancake is still a
pancake, regardless of the ingredients</span></li>
- See more at: http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/#sthash.WbAwOMbC.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<br />
<li><b>Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.</b>
No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, Splenda, Equal,
Nutrasweet, xylitol, stevia, etc. Read your labels, because companies
sneak sugar into products in ways you might not recognize.</li>
<li><b>Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.</b> (And it should go without saying, but no tobacco products of any sort, either.)</li>
<li><b>Do not eat grains.</b> This includes (but is not
limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur,
sorghum, amaranth, buckwheat, sprouted grains and all of those
gluten-free pseudo-grains like quinoa. This also includes all the ways
we add wheat, corn and rice into our foods in the form of bran, germ,
starch and so on. Again, read your labels.</li>
<li><b>Do not eat legumes.</b> This includes beans of all
kinds (black, red, pinto, navy, white, kidney, lima, fava, etc.), peas,
chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also
includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and
all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin).</li>
<li><b>Do not eat dairy</b>. This includes cow, goat or
sheep’s milk products such as cream, cheese (hard or soft), kefir,
yogurt (even Greek), and sour cream… with the exception of clarified
butter or ghee. (See below for details.)</li>
<li><b>Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.</b> If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30.</li>
<li><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-weight: bold;">Do not try to re-create baked goods, junk foods, or treats* with “approved” ingredients. </span><span style="color: #3f3f3f;">Continuing
to eat your old, unhealthy foods made with Whole30 ingredients is
totally missing the point, and will tank your results faster than you
can say “Paleo Pop-Tarts.” Remember, these are the same foods that got
you into health-trouble in the first place—and a pancake is still a
pancake, regardless of the ingredients</span></li>
- See more at: http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/#sthash.WbAwOMbC.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<br />
<li><b>Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.</b>
No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, Splenda, Equal,
Nutrasweet, xylitol, stevia, etc. Read your labels, because companies
sneak sugar into products in ways you might not recognize.</li>
<li><b>Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.</b> (And it should go without saying, but no tobacco products of any sort, either.)</li>
<li><b>Do not eat grains.</b> This includes (but is not
limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur,
sorghum, amaranth, buckwheat, sprouted grains and all of those
gluten-free pseudo-grains like quinoa. This also includes all the ways
we add wheat, corn and rice into our foods in the form of bran, germ,
starch and so on. Again, read your labels.</li>
<li><b>Do not eat legumes.</b> This includes beans of all
kinds (black, red, pinto, navy, white, kidney, lima, fava, etc.), peas,
chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also
includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and
all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin).</li>
<li><b>Do not eat dairy</b>. This includes cow, goat or
sheep’s milk products such as cream, cheese (hard or soft), kefir,
yogurt (even Greek), and sour cream… with the exception of clarified
butter or ghee. (See below for details.)</li>
<li><b>Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.</b> If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30.</li>
<li><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-weight: bold;">Do not try to re-create baked goods, junk foods, or treats* with “approved” ingredients. </span><span style="color: #3f3f3f;">Continuing
to eat your old, unhealthy foods made with Whole30 ingredients is
totally missing the point, and will tank your results faster than you
can say “Paleo Pop-Tarts.” Remember, these are the same foods that got
you into health-trouble in the first place—and a pancake is still a
pancake, regardless of the ingredients.</span><span style="color: #3f3f3f;"> </span></li>
- See more at: http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/#sthash.WbAwOMbC.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<br />
<li><b>Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.</b>
No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, Splenda, Equal,
Nutrasweet, xylitol, stevia, etc. Read your labels, because companies
sneak sugar into products in ways you might not recognize.</li>
<li><b>Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.</b> (And it should go without saying, but no tobacco products of any sort, either.)</li>
<li><b>Do not eat grains.</b> This includes (but is not
limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur,
sorghum, amaranth, buckwheat, sprouted grains and all of those
gluten-free pseudo-grains like quinoa. This also includes all the ways
we add wheat, corn and rice into our foods in the form of bran, germ,
starch and so on. Again, read your labels.</li>
<li><b>Do not eat legumes.</b> This includes beans of all
kinds (black, red, pinto, navy, white, kidney, lima, fava, etc.), peas,
chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also
includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and
all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin).</li>
<li><b>Do not eat dairy</b>. This includes cow, goat or
sheep’s milk products such as cream, cheese (hard or soft), kefir,
yogurt (even Greek), and sour cream… with the exception of clarified
butter or ghee. (See below for details.)</li>
<li><b>Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.</b> If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30.</li>
<li><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-weight: bold;">Do not try to re-create baked goods, junk foods, or treats* with “approved” ingredients. </span><span style="color: #3f3f3f;">Continuing
to eat your old, unhealthy foods made with Whole30 ingredients is
totally missing the point, and will tank your results faster than you
can say “Paleo Pop-Tarts.” Remember, these are the same foods that got
you into health-trouble in the first place—and a pancake is still a
pancake, regardless of the ingredients.</span><span style="color: #3f3f3f;"> </span></li>
- See more at: http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/#sthash.WbAwOMbC.dpuf</div>
Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-18929437323283910152015-03-29T21:00:00.003-05:002015-03-29T21:00:34.500-05:00Robert Turns Two<br />
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<br />
Robert James turned two a few weeks ago and I thought I would take this blog post to document his past year.<br />
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<br />
He
really loves his blankey and he carries it around with him everywhere.
He is particularly fond of one specific blanket, luckily we have a
spare in case we lose one. He's also a fan of dinosaurs, doggies, and
bubbles. Yeah, very random I know, but understanding the mind of this
two-year-old is like solving the world's hardest puzzle. He still isn't
talking much, but that isn't preventing him from being extremely
independent. He likes to do things for himself like put on his own
shoes, hat, and coat in the morning. He's also extremely curious. Here he is below trying to pump after he put all the pieces together himself. <br />
<br />
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<br />
He has the most infectious
giggle but unfortunately these days we usually hear more cries than
laughs coming from his tiny little terrible two body. Speaking of
tiny, he really is little. He stands at least half <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">a head (official measurement) shorter than the </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">rest
of the kids in his daycare class. But Jeez is he cute! Those round
cheeks and big blue eyes get me every.single.time. It's hard to stay
mad at this kid for very long.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"></span><br />
He knows what he wants and
he often won't stop [crying] till he gets it. While bedtimes have
become easier in the past year he still HATES when we leave him. He
graduated from sleeping in his baby swing at 13 months, to falling
asleep in our bed (with us holding him) until 21 months. It took a new
baby brother to get us on the same page and start making him cry it out
in his crib. Now we read him a few books and place him straight into
his crib. He still cries every single night but the process is much
shorter for us than the old routine and he typically only cries for 5 to
10 minutes. We are considering that a win. While he still may hate
bedtime, he really does love getting books read to him. His favorites
include any with Sesame Street characters in them. Sesame Street is
also his favorite show and often times you'll find him dancing to their
various skits.<br />
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<br />
While I think he was the sweetest and easiest
baby, he sure has given me a run for my money during his second year.
He's the reason that our house has baby proofing everywhere. He's the
reason all the crayons are broke in half and there are scribble marks on
the walls. He's the reason our bookcases are anchored to the wall with
screws. But he's also the reason I smile ear to ear and the reason my
heart skips a beat. I love his little kisses.<br />
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<br />
Despite the mess,
the constant crying, and the frequent tears, I can't imagine my life
without this kid and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for
us. Bring it! <br />
<br />
I love you Robert.<br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> XOXO mommy.</span>Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-2513448430351735342015-02-13T16:54:00.002-06:002015-02-13T16:54:40.006-06:00Frugal Friday #2: Mindless Spending<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6ek9Sfxbik/UsWiAHB4TII/AAAAAAAAJRM/tEhpTfwcCjc/s1600/DSCN5406%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6ek9Sfxbik/UsWiAHB4TII/AAAAAAAAJRM/tEhpTfwcCjc/s1600/DSCN5406%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Welcome to another edition of Frugal Friday. If you missed my first
post from a couple of weeks ago, you can catch it here: <a href="http://furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2015/01/frugel-friday-1-how-clutter-costs-me.html">Frugal Friday #1</a>. In that post I talked about how I feel clutter is costing us money,
real money. I'm guessing many of you reading can relate.<br />
<br />
<br />
This
week I thought I would talk about another area that costs my family
money: buying stuff we don't need. I can't tell you the number of times I
have gone to the store (Target specifically) and bought something I
didn't need because, "it was a good deal" or "it was on clearance".
Well, I'm about to share a big fat secret with you, prepare yourself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If
you don't need the item any cost above $0 is NOT a good deal. Let that
sink in. It is NOT a good deal. Let me give you an example of where I purchased an item I don't need. In order
to make room for a recently installed dishwasher (my first one EVER!), I
lost a kitchen cabinet. With this loss, I needed to reorganize a few
cabinets to make room for my homeless items. In my
cleaning/reorganizing, I found fifteen insulated lunch bags. FIFTEEN! We only
have two people in our house that need to even pack a lunch, my hubby
and I (my oldest son gets free lunch at school thanks to a grant his
school district receives for all students). I of course only use 1-2 of
these bags and my husband doesn't use any, he opts for the classy
system of shoving his food in his briefcase. Sigh.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXpHjiRtE78S_-27QwGwOC0pVRjIGbi0xCyk6JGXxwyhidSLzsb6lGH70ak58eqgqaNzv7Hu5h7g1ImWcQY7QzdtR4AcwUR_AdDV33kveUzEEHJ0OImBKjxpZGiZjv8Szx5bWIpxFtF3N/s1600/DSCN7481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXpHjiRtE78S_-27QwGwOC0pVRjIGbi0xCyk6JGXxwyhidSLzsb6lGH70ak58eqgqaNzv7Hu5h7g1ImWcQY7QzdtR4AcwUR_AdDV33kveUzEEHJ0OImBKjxpZGiZjv8Szx5bWIpxFtF3N/s1600/DSCN7481.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too many hats and mittens for one family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ok, so
I found these fifteen bags in my cabinets in October. During the month of December I found myself at OfficeMax
and they had an insulated bag on clearance for $3. It is a freezable
sandwich bag.... I don't have one of those .....and it was only
$3.....and it was a super cute pattern. I bought the stupid thing.
Why? Why? Why? I know, it is only $3, but these little purchase are
what add up and I didn't NEED the silly thing. In January I did this at
Target with crib sheets. We already have 4, I bought 2 more because
they were on clearance for $2.98. Ugh, why?<br />
<br />
<br />
I am
especially guilty of these mindless purchases at Target. Their
clearance aisles are so irresistible. I find all kinds of goodies all
the time but before you know it, your quick run in for your
prescriptions has you standing in line with $50 of "stuff" in your cart.
My husband has this problem at Menard's. He goes
for nails and comes home with crap we don't "need" all the time: hand
soap, batteries, rugs(!),household cleaners. Heck, my garage and
basement are full of these silly thoughtless spending trips.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc7oL5sUkpG8LGp9RVKD73ARRKUxB8H9B_7lZOIciQkRKxAxFW8LDLhVtKthmF5X0r0Ocj71_3f_EJtOLdAAbpQNPaXAGkKwnjZRgbzYX_DyBiRE2KQc8alhEbM4PVCNHQe3W4r78Wm2E/s1600/DSCN7462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc7oL5sUkpG8LGp9RVKD73ARRKUxB8H9B_7lZOIciQkRKxAxFW8LDLhVtKthmF5X0r0Ocj71_3f_EJtOLdAAbpQNPaXAGkKwnjZRgbzYX_DyBiRE2KQc8alhEbM4PVCNHQe3W4r78Wm2E/s1600/DSCN7462.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those lint rollers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So
we're making a real effort this year not to make these purchases and to
ask ourselves, "do we really need this item" before making the
purchase. Just asking yourself that simple question before making the
purchase can help. Another way to cut back on mindless purchasing: make
less trips to the store. Wait till you have a list of items you need
instead of going for one thing or going because you're bored. If less
trips isn't enough, ask your partner to make the trip to the store for
you instead. Swap trips, for us that means my husband may need to go
to Target and I go to Menard's. I won't be as tempted
to fill my cart with unneeded stuff at the home improvement store and
he will not do such mindless shopping as I do at Target....heck, I don't
think he knows where their baby aisle even is! <br />
<br />
<br />
We also
created a "do not buy" list that we both have access to on our phones
when we are at the store. We have items on our "do not buy" list that
fall into this mindless spending category and our "clutter" spending
category (related to the first Frugal Friday post). Here are some of the items on our list: batteries, hand soap, lotion, toothbrushes. Very
similarly, you could keep an inventory list of items you have, I could
see this being really benificial with food items. How many times have you
found yourself buying a spice for a recipe because you weren't sure you
had any at home but when you get home you already have 3 bottles of that
same spice....Ugh, molasses anyone?....it will only take me till
ETERNITY to use those bottles.<br />
<br />
So in closing, give some thought to your mindless spending and find ways to reduce or eliminate it before it becomes a real budget buster! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-62334811275385661342015-02-03T20:44:00.002-06:002015-02-03T20:48:32.037-06:00Cards for In-Betweeners<div>
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<br />
So my six (almost seven) year old has hit that age where he
isn't a baby anymore but he isn't a grown up either. He's what I am
calling an in-betweener. In-betweeners don't cry when the nurse gives
them a shot because they're tough, but they cry when their mommy doesn't
make Mac n Cheese because....well....they can. In-betweeners don't
like superheroes because those are for babies but they watch Sesame
Street when nobody's watching. In-betweeners don't kiss their mom
goodbye at school but they kiss their mommies goodnight at home.<br />
<br />
Aweeeee,
Ooooohhhh, how I love my in-betweener and all the sassiness that comes
with him. Finding cards to fit this age group can be challenging but I
think I designed a few that will work for this age group and I thought
I'd show them to you today. <br />
<br />
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<br />
I have found that kids of
all ages LOVE balloons and so I thought a card full of them would make
any kid smile despite their age. For this card, I used the Sweet Cheeks
stamp set from PTI to make some animal shaped balloons to create an
in-betweener card with a stamp set that would normally only work for
babies. This helps me get more bang for my buck with this set! Double duty, right?<br />
<br />
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<br />
The next card was created using the
Bubble Talk stamp set. This set screams in-betweener and teenager
alike! This card would be perfect for those kids who just got their own
phone or anyone with a bit of sass in them....speaking of phones, I says a lower El student with a phone today.....TOO YOUNG! To make this card gender neutral, I stamped it in primary colors and covered up the heart stamp with a
star. This gives me the ability to gift this to approximately 50% more people and
let's face it, with three boys in the house and no girls, I'm more
likely to need this for a boy! Score again!<br />
<br />
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<br />
This
card uses the Simple Stars stamp set with the corresponding Stars cover
plate. I love this card because not only does it work for kids, but I
can use it for adults too. These are the types of cards that are great
to have on hand because it works so well for everyone.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Last
but not least, I have this CAS card that uses the Random Stripes stamp
set and a die from the Birthday Trio die collection. Again, another
card that works well for either gender and any age because of the layout
and color sceem.<br />
<br />
Ok, that's it for me, I need to go check MY in-betweener's attitude! I hope I've inspired you to create a few cards for the in-betweener in your life!<br />
<br />
Ta-ta!<br />
<br />
Ericka</div>
Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-23398023113944360572015-01-16T15:29:00.001-06:002015-01-16T15:35:17.232-06:00Frugel Friday #1: How Clutter Costs Me MoneyI return to work in just one week from now after having off for the last ten weeks on maternity leave to care for my third (and final) baby boy, Thomas. I have really enjoyed my time home with him and my middle son part time for three days a week (he goes to day care for the other two days to keep some routine in his life). Our day care bill is about to go from $240/week to $635/week, so we need to be mindful of our spending. REALLY mindful of our spending. <br />
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We do not have a lot of areas we can cut back on. Our mortgage is already pretty cheap, we don't have car loans or credit card debt, we don't have cable or super huge cell phone bills. Our family has done "no spend" months in the past and those have been popular posts on my blog (see here, here, here, and here) so I thought it would be fun to pop in once in awhile on this blog and share how we're saving money where we can. I'm calling it, Frugal Friday.<br />
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Frugal Friday will be a day where I can share our ups and downs, share tips on how we save, and hopefully have you the reader do the same! PLEASE! I love reading blogs about saving money, if you have a great tip, please share it with me.<br />
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So let's begin by talking about one area where I think this family loses money: CLUTTER.<br />
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Dun dun duuuun. <br />
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Clutter.<br />
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Clutter costs this family <u>real</u> money. You see, everything is so disorganized in this house, I'm guessing many of you can relate. When things are disorganized you can't find the "thing" you are looking for. When you can't find that said "thing" you go out and buy a new "thing" to replace the "thing" you can't find. Suddenly before you know it you have 35 of that same "thing" in the house. For us, this happens a lot. The "thing" is: hats/gloves, batteries, dishtowels, lip gloss, plastic containers, socks, crib sheets, etc. I could keep going but I think you get the picture, I'm sure you all have plenty of your own "things" that multiply. Not only do they cost you money when you replace them but the time you spent looking for them is precious time you can't get back. I read we all waste something like 40 minutes a day looking for stuff. I believe it. Sometimes it is just easier to go buy a new one than to look and find the one you're looking for, right? This mindset costs us money, <u>real</u> money. So it is time to get rid of this money drainer. <br />
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I've been slowly working on trying to organize our house. With three little boys in the house (and one big one), that hasn't been easy but so far I have managed to organize and group a few areas that I think were costing us money. Here's one:<br />
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<b>Household Supplies</b><br />
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Our entry closet has been under utilized since the day we moved into this house (11 years ago!). Look at that hot mess! Every time I opened that door, something fell on top of me. This is nothing but a waste of space and a place where we were losing money. You might be asking how this dirty closet was costing us money. This closet was supposed to be holding our supply of paper products and cleaning supplies but you can't see them behind all the clutter....and because you can't see it, we went out and bought more. More than we need. We bought two huge packs of toilet paper in the last two weeks because we thought we were out.<br />
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Seriously? Look at this closet! That floor mop is suspended in the air and defying the law of gravity. Like that isn't waiting to fall and get broken and then I would have to buy a new one that would cost me more money. <br />
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And that poor shelf up above has so much potential but is being under utilized by disorganization. <br />
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I cleaned out this under utilized closet and got to work. Usually this means a trip to target to get some new and pretty organizational crates, baskets, plastic containers ($$$), etc BUTTTT, remembering my neighbor's recent post on her blog challenging us to <a href="http://blueoncenter.blogspot.com/2015/01/living-simply.html">living simply</a>, I <strike>reorganized</strike> organized this closet for ZERO DOLLARS! ZERO DOLLARS people, come on, I should get a high five for doing that!<br />
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I grabbed a shelf from the basement that wasn't being used. My husband wanted to put this ugly beast in our tiny office off of our bedroom.......gasp......the horror..... so I needed to come up with a purpose for this shelf stat.<br />
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So here it is, being put to use. Isn't this closet all nice and pretty now? Now I know just how many rolls of toilet paper and paper towel we have, the answer is too many. Oh, anyone need a lint roller? We have more rolls than we will ever use! <br />
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Look at all those Swiffers! My kids love to push those around It is nice to know how many boxes we have (enough to last us till the kids move out of the house). I mean seriously, they don't <b>love</b> to push them around that much and I'm smart enough to realize their love for cleaning will wear off before the Swiffers run out)! Oh, I even found a battery operated push broom new in the box inside this closet, I didn't know we had that! I had just added that to my "to buy" list the day before. Score! <br />
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Then this morning, I found myself searching Amazon.com for pretty over the door organizers and had a light bulb moment when I thought, I bet we have one of these in the basement and I can put all of our hats and mittens in it! Sure enough, I found one in the basement (a couple actually) and got to work. The one on amazon was really pretty but this one was free and it is going inside a closet, no one is going to see it....oh, and did I mention our increasing day care bill? <br />
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I gathered all of our winter hats, gloves, and scarves (you know, the ones we can never find so we go buy more of them) and now they are all nicely sorted and stored in one location. No more need to buy hats! <br />
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I challenge you to find the areas in your house that are costing you money because of clutter and take some action this week to organize, sort, and get rid of stuff you no longer need/use.<br />
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Let me know what you find! Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-57362632847397870522015-01-08T14:36:00.000-06:002015-01-09T09:45:10.562-06:00Knee Deep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It ain't no joke. During this maternity leave I am knee deep in poop. I'm changing dirty diapers on some kid left and right. I can't keep up. What are they eating? I swear someone with an axe to grind with me gave my kids a laxative when I wasn't looking and now that person is peaking in my windows and laughing at their handy work. <br />
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It's ironic because after delivery most women can't go. Those of you with kids know exactly what I'm talking about. For the next week after delivery all you want to do is go to the bathroom but you can't. Yeah, that's right people with no kids: <b>you can't poop</b>. It's your body's last "ha ha" of pregnancy. Not being able to go #2 doesn't sound THAT BAD....maybe even quite possibly a way to free up some spare time (but then when would anyone get any reading done). But not being able to poop is no joke, people! No joke. Man, I was only a push away from calling it quits and driving myself to the ER this third time around. Luckily my body took pity on me and starting functioning again. <br />
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The ironic part is, while you're sweating it in the bathroom, your wee little precious newborn is pooping for the whole gull darn neighborhood. My precious little Thomas was pooping up to twelve times a day that first week, while I cried and swore like a sailor every time I went to the bathroom. Alright, I am WAYYYY over sharing, but it is all in the name of humor. What else would I talk about here, crafts?<br />
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What does all this talk about poop have to do with my card? Well, during this last diaper change.... times two poop-filled {lovely} children.... I was thinking I could really use some alcohol. Alcohold sure would make the day go quicker and would make these poopy diapers a bit easier to tolerate....butttt..... the kids are about to take their naps and I <b>really</b> want to stamp, I don't have time to drink...oh.... I got a great card idea and it fits the bill perfectly for this week's <a href="http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2015/01/make-it-monday-19-colorful-card-corners.html">Make It Monday Challenge</a>. <b>SEE</b>, I wouldn't talk about poop for no reason people! I clearly had a point to this story. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_4QeNBOAShSdHfCEQU6MuOzHvjIPNZdMl1X307odV0AKDJWMDMc9GVnII3NKanMRNFFTagaELgYyNaFEgfDgQeLRVaBJsZouNejWKGzH_se6tWImMBPoVJ42YikeqQo_nHqDuLPwaSWP/s1600/DSCN7386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rUM-wvVGqMLiTzViET_3KU4BkX_B6CcZsnueFiKjecxWUyhYQH2ONpnc-jIwCfdpNKn_67JrZ8XkF_t56_Xri3bT0s1aYDGGTeMYwBcYqwTCg7hG9bOHgZWmK5CGdaB49VRbgsEtG2h8/s1600/DSCN7391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rUM-wvVGqMLiTzViET_3KU4BkX_B6CcZsnueFiKjecxWUyhYQH2ONpnc-jIwCfdpNKn_67JrZ8XkF_t56_Xri3bT0s1aYDGGTeMYwBcYqwTCg7hG9bOHgZWmK5CGdaB49VRbgsEtG2h8/s1600/DSCN7391.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I got out the <a href="https://www.papertreyink.com/kits/makeit-market-kit-shakers-sprinkles/">shakers + sprinkles</a> dies again this week and thought I would make some bubbles to go along with my new <a href="https://www.papertreyink.com/stamps/uncorked-stamp-set/">Uncorked</a> set. Yeah? You see them? I know, I know, wine doesn't have bubbles, champagne does.....don't get hung up on the details, please? I think this is a swell card, despite the technicality and any of your friends that are knee deep with their own problems will think so too!<br />
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Cheers!Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-51367321487671090912015-01-06T14:50:00.001-06:002015-01-07T15:32:42.946-06:00Happy New Year With Sprinkles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The kids are currently napping which in and of itself is a small miracle so that gives me a few minutes to show you what I did with the <a href="https://www.papertreyink.com/kits/makeit-market-kit-shakers-sprinkles/">MakeIt Market Kit: Shakers + Sprinkles</a>. When I saw this set come out I just HAD to have it (yes, at the expense of my oldest going to college someday as my husband would so lovingly say to me)! It looks like a lot of the rest of you wanted this set too as I waited a good month for this baby to come in the mail. Once it arrived, it sat. And sat. And sat. Oh, and it collected some dust, well a lot of dust. Leave me alone, my house is messy, I just had a baby 7 years ago, and 22 months ago and 7 weeks ago. I have no time for cleaning, I'm busy stamping and blogging....oh and ignoring a kid here and there. <br />
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In December, I finally took this bad boy out of the packaging and started to play with it. I apologize to those of you that wanted it and never got it and then I got it and just let it sit without being used. What a waste. I'm a shame to the acrylic stamping world and I will hang my head in embarrassment when in public. Hopefully my husband will still stand strong by my side (I asked, he said "no, not even I can look past this disgrace"...actually he just said, "what" and I replied, "never mind". My made up version is funnier anyway). Oh well, who needs a supportive husband when you have SPRINKLES!<br />
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Ok enough already. Back to the real business at hand. The whole concept behind this set is that you can create shaker cards easy peasy with the included dies. While these cards are not "quick" because you need to run a few pieces through your die cut machine, with the help of the dies, they come together easier than trying to free form this as so many of us were doing before this set arrived. I love my first card but I put nowhere near enough sprinkles inside of it and the static electricity of this dry winter house caused my sprinkles to not move freely (and does a number on my skin but nobody wants to see that). Anyone else have that issue? Any suggestions? I did see someone mention using a paint brush with some baby powder on the exposed sides of the foam adhesive once you have the shaker put together to help the sprinkles not stick to any exposed adhesive. I thought that was a great idea. Will that also cut down on the static electricity? Maybe I'll try it and let you know. Please comment if you have a solution to either of my problems: static electricity and dry winter skin!<br />
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This next card uses the same set but is a snap to put together (I tell you this in case you have a baby crying and you just NEED to get a birthday card done before he eats, social services would be understanding). Even though it comes together super fast, it is still super cute and I bet would put a smile on anyone receiving this in the mail! <br />
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Here is the last card I wanted to show to you today. I was going for that poster print "Keep Calm" look that is everywhere right now. There is no avoiding it. Keep calm and walk your dog. Keep calm and have some ice cream. Keep calm and blow your nose. Seriously, there is a poster for everything and everyone. Just pinterest it if you don't believe me. Is that a THING or did I just make up the next hottest saying? Just so you know, I was also the first to say, "google it". I really should take out a TM like Donald Trump did or tried to do with, "You're fired". Seriously, that's a thing, google it. :) <br />
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I hope I provided you some inspiration to break out your stamps and create something and maybe (just maybe) made you chuckle along the way!<br />
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See you soon! Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-13202755644120341272014-12-26T22:28:00.000-06:002015-01-07T14:47:23.786-06:00December 2014 PTI Blog Hop: Silver and Gold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Updated to add a daylight pictures! Much better!</b></div>
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This month's <a href="http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2014/12/december-2014-blog-hop.html">Papertrey Ink Blog Hop challenge</a> is to create a card using both silver and gold elements on it. I knew exactly what I wanted to create and quickly whipped up this card using some silver and gold embossing powder. <br />
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Sorry for the terrible pictures, I'll try to re-take them tomorrow using some natural light! I had this card done a few days again but the holidays happened and here I am just minutes from the blog hop closing trying to quickly get this posted! Ugh, I bet I'm the last entry! :)<br />
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After embossing Mr. & Mrs., I added gold card stock to make it all come together! I hope you enjoyed this month's challenge as much as I did!<br />
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See you next time! Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-40770860215126817042014-12-25T10:37:00.003-06:002015-01-07T14:47:42.570-06:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our family to yours. Just a quick post today to show you our Christmas card for 2014. I don't know about you but I love getting everyone's Christmas cards in the mail especially those that are handmade or have family photos on them. They are all so lovely. I love watching everyone's family grow from year to year. I keep the good ones in my Christmas card box to look at each year.<br />
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I also love making our Christmas card, it's something that I look forward to every year. And while it can take some time to create, it's something that's important to me. With a newborn at home I knew this year's card needed to be quick, easy, and simple.<br />
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Thanks to my friend <a href="http://jessetakespictures.com/">Jesse's</a> mad photography skills, that was easy to achieve with this card. I knew I wanted this photo of my three boys to be the star of the show.<br />
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I printed the photo out in black-and-white, cut it to size, and added a simple stamped greeting on the bottom. Despite it being quick and simple, it is still beautiful, right? Of course it is with those three boys on it! I wanted to show you that during this busy holiday season, if you keep it simple, you can get handmade cards out to all your loved ones with just a bit of planning and a couple spare hours. <br />
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I fit this in while the kids were napping over the course of a few days (I used to sit down and make them all in one day,but I don't have that much free time in one day any more). I addressed some and postal stamped all envelopes while the kids were napping in the minivan, which I love (BOTH the minivan and the kids actually napping!).<br />
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The interior of the card was kept simple too. I typed up a couple quick sentences about each of us and what this past year has brought to us and glued it to the inside.<br />
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The most time-consuming part of this card was writing all five of our names on the bottom before <br />
sending them out to all our family and friends.<br />
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Well I'm sure this is my last post for the year so have yourself a happy holiday and see you in the new year.<br />
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Peace!Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-31756209570042238832014-12-18T11:20:00.001-06:002015-01-07T14:47:55.125-06:00Birth Announcements<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone! So I have decided to declare one day each week during
my maternity leave my crafting day. Yep, that's right. In between
baby feedings, diapers, and utter chaos, I'm focusing my attention on crafts, my full on attention!<br />
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Today I thought I would show you the birth announcements I made for our new addition. Let me just start out by saying, I'm so disappointed in Shutterfly and Walgreens. These pictures are really orange. They are not quite as orange looking in person as they are in these photos but they are still pretty orange and they cropped off the border we made on them, but since I printed 50 copies, I wasn't about to have 50 new prints made and waste another $10. Lesson learned, next time print a test copy! He is still pretty darn cute :)<br />
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Anyway, look past the orange and at the cute subject matter. What a cute little ham, right? He did this pose all on his own, no set up folks, I promise. He looks so much like his father here, pose and all. I can tell already that he is going to be a deep thinker just like his daddy (that's probably a good thing because this house can't handle another talker!). <br />
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Anyone else sad when google went away with their photo editing options? I loved using it to add words to pictures. It was great for novices like myself who find Photoshop too overwhelming. I have found Picmonkey to be a great replacement though! If your looking for basic photo editing options, check out that site, I use their free version but they do offer a paid option that gives you even more choices. I used their site to add the text to his birth announcement. <br />
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The cute little elephant stamp comes from Echo Park's Little Man line. I'm using this whole product line for Thomas's first year scrapbook. This little guy adds just a touch of bling. <br />
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I was a little particular about how Thomas was going to lay and it was driving my hubby a little batty. But I knew that I was lining all three boys together in our hallway in these frames so I wanted there to be some cohesiveness (two boys laying to the right, one to the left).<br />
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I told him, this picture is going up on the wall and we will be looking at it FOREVER so let's make this right. All three boys are now lined up together in the hall way. They look great. <br />
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Taking a nice picture of these frames was nearly impossible given that this is a dark hallway that gets relatively little natural light so again, forgive me. With three kids eating up all my free time, it is what it is! <br />
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Here's a far shot. The photo's are sandwiched between the bathroom and Robert's room. I love being able to walk past these everyday and see my cute little babies all together.<br />
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Well that's it for this morning! I have a naughty one year old to go check on (and feed!). <br />
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Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-4228771943623316552014-12-03T14:58:00.001-06:002014-12-03T14:58:58.985-06:00He's Here and He's Perfect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg5BV9vyy7fIXjQVaazH3eGadVmWpoLeSEVYoW_RYR7YZK0wQ9k8drevfxaRgTYpOdS4JX-hkD45XpzPvy3cHvy_a07nNTYa1CwowZiwsVPTOJJ1TgOuar6ek2u_T0aLtoUStzj29Kiqy/s1600/DSCN6887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg5BV9vyy7fIXjQVaazH3eGadVmWpoLeSEVYoW_RYR7YZK0wQ9k8drevfxaRgTYpOdS4JX-hkD45XpzPvy3cHvy_a07nNTYa1CwowZiwsVPTOJJ1TgOuar6ek2u_T0aLtoUStzj29Kiqy/s1600/DSCN6887.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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On Monday, November 17, 2014 Thomas Harold joined the world. 8 lbs and 3 oz. and 21 inches long. He is so lovely and we are just smitten with him already.<br />
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Look at these two big brothers. Johnathan (6) has been such a trooper. He is just in love with his new baby brother and Robbie (20 months), he isn't sure what to think yet but with some time I know he'll come around.<br />
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Look at my husband, he's such a natural at this. He makes it look easy. I think that is Thomas's first smile right there and he hasn't even left the hospital yet. I may have another daddy's boy on my hands! <br />
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This is my first moments with Thomas. I still have my hair net on from surgery (the real deal folks!). A momma waits 9 months to hold and love their new little baby and those agonizing final minutes of waiting after a c-section feel like an eternity. Once I finally got to hold him, we are both instantly in love with each other. </div>
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It's been two weeks and we're starting to get into a routine here at home. It will take a while yet, but things are starting to return to "normal" (whatever the heck that means). </div>
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Please excuse my absence as I get to know and bond with my newest little addition. This is FOR SURE our last baby so I'm trying to enjoy and savor every little cuddle I can because I know in a blink of an eye, they will be all grown up. </div>
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See you soon! Hugs!</div>
<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-60908430498345801782014-11-08T16:29:00.003-06:002014-11-08T16:29:37.410-06:00Take Two: Christmas Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got two more Christmas cards to show to you today. This first one comes together pretty quickly with the help of Papertrey ink's Shaker Shapes Ornament Die. I found this cute patterned paper on etsy which I affectionately like to call "ugly Christmas sweater". You can find it here: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ValerianeDigital?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Valeriane Digital</a>.<br />
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Do you see that rain in the background? It might turn into snow later this week here in Wisconsin, I say, that's a sure sign my baby is about to come! <br />
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I love the red and teal colors paired together on this card for a non-traditional twist and with a simply saying stamped in red ink, this card is simple but pretty. </div>
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I've already told you all how I love photo cards at Christmas. I just
love the simplicity of this design, it really lets your photo do the
talking. Who wouldn't love to get this cutie in their mailbox this
holiday season ;)<br />
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The background is in a light green card stock and Papertrey Ink's photo finishers "joy" is surrounded by red and gold stars. The stars are just enough of an accent to dress up this card without making it feel too busy. <br />
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I hope these cards inspire you to get out and do some crafting this weekend!<br />
<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-53098559888844678822014-11-05T09:59:00.002-06:002014-11-05T10:29:44.382-06:00Christmas Card Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is November and you know what that means: it is HOLIDAY TIME! Yes, that's right folks, stop your mumbling, Christmas is only a short 50 days away! I love this time of year, especially now with little tiny ones at home. It is so fun to see how exited they get as Christmas draws closer. I saw my city was putting up the holiday street lights on Monday night so I took that as a sign that it was time to break out my stamps and create some holiday cards for 2014.<br />
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This card is just the cutest. I know, I am biased but there is some serious cuteness going on all over this card. I love holiday photo cards but they are so darn expensive. This home version costs a fraction of what you will pay if you have a big box store or online retailer make it for you and as a bonus you get bragging rights because you made it with your own two hands. It is economical because the photo is sized so that two photos can actually fit on one 4X6 print and cut to size, meaning you only have to print half the number of photo prints needed for your total amount of cards. For this mom on a budget, that's importantante (that's Spanish for necessary!). <br />
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Grandmas and families especially love these types of cards. These types of cards tend to hang out on refrigerators long after the season has past and that's exactly how it should be, you get a lot of bang for a little buck! <br />
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Isn't this card screaming quintessential Christmas? Poinsettias are just the perfect Christmas flower and paired with this pretty white polka dot paper, how can you go wrong. <br />
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A little white sequent was added to the middle of the poinsettia to polish off this card. These cards come together super fast as it is just a matter of layering the pieces together and adhering them to a standard A2 card.<br />
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This card makes me want to break out the Christmas decor and get the house all nice and pretty for the cozy winter nights that are ahead of us. Oh and this year I get to do that snuggling a newborn, lucky me. <br />
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I had another card created but my little one year old ran off with it and I can not find it anywhere. ANYWHERE. I've looked through garbage cans (I often find my stamp sets there), in clothes drawers, under blankets, it is NO WHERE. What a stinker, I bet it will reappear on December 26th! Oh well, I guess that means back to the craft room I go (oh darn, twist my arm). <br />
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Stay tuned for a couple more designs in the next couple of days, in the mean time, I hope you start finding some holiday inspiration while you are out and about this week! Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-71898190641657896552014-11-04T21:20:00.001-06:002014-11-05T10:30:00.744-06:00Halloween 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Halloween 2014 has come and gone. Look at my two cuties all dressed up this year. I really try to stay away from getting store bought costumes as I don't like the commercialism of this holiday. If my kids want to get candy from strangers, I think they (really me at their ages) need to work for it a bit, hopefully they will agree as they get older and older.<br />
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Since I am only weeks away from giving birth to my 3rd child, the thought of elaborate costumes was just not going to do but these were super duper easy.<br />
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Johnathan (6) went at Fred from Scooby Doo. I bought the blue dress shirt and white sweater from used clothing stores and the orange ascot is just a strip of a very ugly orange shirt I bought and cut. I didn't even bother sewing it. He had some nice "preppy" dress shoes to wear to complete the outfit but he is weird about shoes and I didn't feel like arguing. Sometimes it just isn't worth it!</div>
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Here he is getting candy at a house with a very cool scary costume. We also got Robert to go up to this guy but he started crying.<br />
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Robert (20 months) went as Bob the Builder (name sake, get it?). I bought the hat at goodwill and the tool belt at Target, the rest of the outfit he already owned. Easy. The Cheetoo was a bribe to get him to keep the hat on and somehow it worked. <br />
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What a couple of cuties. These two are still best friends, I hope they find room for the third who is just around the corner! </div>
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Action shot of Bob the Builder getting candy from strangers with his Auntie Katie. <br />
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Robbie and Bumpa walking the streets looking for good candy, Robbie was stashing the goods in his tool belt. </div>
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Oh and here is daddy and Uncle Jake playing on their phones, we tried losing them here but they found us. Good thing the kids were with us and not these two with their heads stuck to their phones. What a bunch of creepers sitting on a street corner with phone in hand and an empty stroller. ;) </div>
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The kids weren't the only ones to have fun. Nate and I dressed up as well. He went as pregnant me and I went (with my pregnant belly) as the magic eight ball (my signs got cut out of the pictures, but I think you get the point. Super easy costumes that took about 10 minutes to throw together. At 8.5 months pregnant, I don't feel like giving anything more than 10 minutes of my time!<br />
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One more final shot of my hubby dressed as me for Halloween. Look at those sexy legs :) And yes, he wore this dress better than I do!Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-68893206712253189542014-10-22T16:26:00.000-05:002015-01-08T14:31:33.949-06:00Frozen Banner and a Little Bit of Fun<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPEeMufYJjoMymYBKr6m9nPUcTYi2-A2SOCBYObAcqIDht4Gf7IJAO3q-kZEIVCkwmh7h5lo0CcI-D4Fwj6sROkwSZJdmjLJIdbjifJImx7JxJTK23Pp8tGW6rxRMltgZ6SKCrtv434Ur/s1600/DSCN6726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPEeMufYJjoMymYBKr6m9nPUcTYi2-A2SOCBYObAcqIDht4Gf7IJAO3q-kZEIVCkwmh7h5lo0CcI-D4Fwj6sROkwSZJdmjLJIdbjifJImx7JxJTK23Pp8tGW6rxRMltgZ6SKCrtv434Ur/s1600/DSCN6726.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a mom of two boys the Frozen movie phenomenon has mostly
missed our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m ok with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though Frozen hasn’t been on repeat
since coming to home video in our house I still have heard the songs enough to
have them memorized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son said all the
girls at his school sing the songs all the time, yep, he’s right, I hear them signing them when I pick him
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear girls singing them in Target, doctor’s
offices, even at the zoo. I hear it everywhere.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprv3u8SnW7YNayJau9ct_rdXInXNEm-uyQ4URy_MzXbZs3OFX1mH38HCYEDfvCMSi4j506F-r_ZF893BmJDI1HPeXyQ4uVb836rvN_VuHn-OAUvfUC_8RZsP5DLlFLPVQvM1sZQNn3p5m/s1600/DSCN6725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprv3u8SnW7YNayJau9ct_rdXInXNEm-uyQ4URy_MzXbZs3OFX1mH38HCYEDfvCMSi4j506F-r_ZF893BmJDI1HPeXyQ4uVb836rvN_VuHn-OAUvfUC_8RZsP5DLlFLPVQvM1sZQNn3p5m/s1600/DSCN6725.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought it was time to give in to this blockbuster of a
hit and put a banner up in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FurloughedTime?ref=search_shop_redirect">my etsy shop</a> so all moms and dads can have just one
more Frozen item in their house, to all the fed up mom’s and dad’s out there,
you are welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey, we have a similar
problem in our house with the Lego Movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWv0D-jA6tWNZtYrWQes9duiOAGAEV8C25XYpuDQDnxquuJcrKNsMHrATnVj0BLrxYZWDGuLMPEZzkcpzm_eoldQ6xj2x-HyrBxcc8gO9hLXh65YSsy5sUeZa-aC4YD9rQ84k6iTip0pG/s1600/DSCN6728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWv0D-jA6tWNZtYrWQes9duiOAGAEV8C25XYpuDQDnxquuJcrKNsMHrATnVj0BLrxYZWDGuLMPEZzkcpzm_eoldQ6xj2x-HyrBxcc8gO9hLXh65YSsy5sUeZa-aC4YD9rQ84k6iTip0pG/s1600/DSCN6728.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mentioned the zoo up above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me tell you how our local zoo, the movie Frozen,
and my soon-to-be-three sons are all connected while I show you some pictures of this cute banner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkPE6o5aNYUdxMYy2Whyzk7ZrXPBsGsexFdzhGbXtySMpmRh9hfdSH08xdidI05jSs4trCoBpwAyGMI7dz2Q9NbDHU-zUu3WZA_GeT64YKgwAAuHCuGsRRKQwKe7V_xkUxfy8DF56pCaQ/s1600/DSCN6734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkPE6o5aNYUdxMYy2Whyzk7ZrXPBsGsexFdzhGbXtySMpmRh9hfdSH08xdidI05jSs4trCoBpwAyGMI7dz2Q9NbDHU-zUu3WZA_GeT64YKgwAAuHCuGsRRKQwKe7V_xkUxfy8DF56pCaQ/s1600/DSCN6734.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to back track just a bit to make this story
complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we found out our second
child was going to be a second boy, I was a little surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nowhere in my world was it possible my second
baby was going to be a second boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
whole life I thought I would have two kids, the first a boy (to be the over
protecting big brother), and the second child a girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both pregnancies were very different, a FOR
SURE indicator (as everyone said) that the second was a girl since the first
was a boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when the technician said, “it’s
a boy”, my reaction was not elated joy but more of a “What?!?! Not possible”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My reaction was just weird enough there was some
moments of awkward silence by the tech. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKcKjyblvvfJbTVQC-qVoX3JqkOjEVvi72OourcZfFTVAqUgR-QEAnH-nwqiX2Mi50bSTRHMZYUFSk4y_4f5uYCbd4BHWdHVsHLjOakocZ7rngMacUmPDVI3KW-QOcGe4Hsm__Mplnl9N/s1600/DSCN6731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKcKjyblvvfJbTVQC-qVoX3JqkOjEVvi72OourcZfFTVAqUgR-QEAnH-nwqiX2Mi50bSTRHMZYUFSk4y_4f5uYCbd4BHWdHVsHLjOakocZ7rngMacUmPDVI3KW-QOcGe4Hsm__Mplnl9N/s1600/DSCN6731.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now fast forward to just a few months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This third time around, I learned a lesson, I
learned not to assume anything and that it is a 50/50 chance that this baby would be
a girl and a 50/50 chance they would be a boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the ultrasound date grew closer my anxiety grew higher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was at peace with a boy or a girl but anxious to learn which gender they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, a girl would be nice, but there is some
peace in having a third boy, I know how boys work, I already have two, and let’s
face it, I love them to pieces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7T6UjpVNc16ARkCKbW7cStjUhugZavtMd0VYTpYXQD-DNaRM2h40n0GR0f6d6H-FNYZP834IV8dpDm7MqehftRa1IUKUZ7rU7bmd745vvywePx6RF2eC9OLUQKYFj9udWu7rBL6fbJu9/s1600/DSCN6648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7T6UjpVNc16ARkCKbW7cStjUhugZavtMd0VYTpYXQD-DNaRM2h40n0GR0f6d6H-FNYZP834IV8dpDm7MqehftRa1IUKUZ7rU7bmd745vvywePx6RF2eC9OLUQKYFj9udWu7rBL6fbJu9/s1600/DSCN6648.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How could you not love these two little hams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just the cutest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had this strong feeling I was having a
third boy, after all, I am the oldest of three girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when the technician said, “It’s another
boy”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ok with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In a lot of ways, </span>I was relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m about to have my third child, having them
be the same gender as the first two seems to make life easier somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no tears shed, no pouting, I was
going to be a mom to my third boy. End of story, so I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd_Tzs6AjGzh_wCgNk8sXvFesM5P2swKF1f323KlwHUtYemO7IO8JrcxM9qpMpeJ_6rvT4bFCcZwuPpVd7fXkCkrPqrJfqjFwwVJWs2LVjHD__XpsSwN3WmimMbear3snIf48vdjBbd6B/s1600/DSCN6730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd_Tzs6AjGzh_wCgNk8sXvFesM5P2swKF1f323KlwHUtYemO7IO8JrcxM9qpMpeJ_6rvT4bFCcZwuPpVd7fXkCkrPqrJfqjFwwVJWs2LVjHD__XpsSwN3WmimMbear3snIf48vdjBbd6B/s1600/DSCN6730.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A week after the ultrasound, we went to family night at the
zoo and we sat in front of the karaoke stage to eat our dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids gathered on stage to play various instruments:
drums, electric guitars, sing vocals, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music started, “Let It Go” was
being sang by about a dozen little girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I very innocently turned to my hubby while the boys were eating their
sandwiches and said, “awe, look at all the little girls singing”…..the words
barely left my mouth before the crocodile sized tears started rolling down my checks
followed by the words, “I’m never going to have a little girl”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Followed by more crocodile sized tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband couldn’t help himself, he started
laughing, which helped me start laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have no idea where they came from, they came out of nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hubby said, “Put yourself together, what
is the matter with you, we’re at the zoo and everyone can see you crying”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kids were oblivious to mommy’s embarrassment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took the song literally, I sure did
let.it.go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right in the middle of the
zoo, in front of all those people. The tears stopped when my oldest said, "this song is dumb, why don't they sing the Lego Movie song". Life is good. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIX7O_o0qoAWN14sxFhA_MKPtA3f9wBSU2YhhCzMEDP8UdUdPzzWKWw1G2hSvef8opbkqDOlRTJ2eWJCxgqcpo3Efrb1ZSZxuS5N13lHz5BmnggEJAn60eI7w0zfEYs4Nc69p0d0hIZDE/s1600/DSCN6729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIX7O_o0qoAWN14sxFhA_MKPtA3f9wBSU2YhhCzMEDP8UdUdPzzWKWw1G2hSvef8opbkqDOlRTJ2eWJCxgqcpo3Efrb1ZSZxuS5N13lHz5BmnggEJAn60eI7w0zfEYs4Nc69p0d0hIZDE/s1600/DSCN6729.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m happy to report, there have been no further tears since
that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited to meet the
next cute little ham to grace our family in just 26 short days (not that I’m
counting).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s going to fit right in to
our crazy, goofy, chaotic lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
every time I hear the song, “Let It Go”, I’ll think back to that July day when
there was a brief moment that I wasn’t sure and I’ll giggle and laugh at what
could have been and how life is so wonderful with my three little peanuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Now go to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FurloughedTime?ref=search_shop_redirect">etsy shop</a> and buy this cute banner or if you are blessed to have all boys like I am and don't see yourself throwing a Frozen themed party anytime soon, do me a favor and share it with your girlfriends!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">And while your at it, check out two of my favorite bloggers that have all boys themselves:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Look at Shelly with her four (!!!) boys:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/Cookies%20and%20Cups:%20%20http://cookiesandcups.com/about-me/faqs/">About Me FAQ</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Look at Jen with her three boys:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2009/12/all-about-miss-jen.html">All About Miss Jen</a></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Oh, and this post with all three boys sitting around the table just makes me so excited, I can't wait for this in my own life:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2014/09/happy-iheart-blogiversary-day-in-our.html">Day In Our Life</a></span></div>
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Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-75485590951014839962014-10-11T14:34:00.003-05:002014-10-22T16:27:57.805-05:00Let's Catch Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello Everyone. Life has just gotten so busy with a houseful of kids. I think about this blog often but just can't squeeze in the time to write quality content. </div>
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It's been so long so LET'S CATCH UP! </div>
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BABY UPDATE</div>
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Baby #3 is only a short five weeks away and I realized I haven't even announced their gender on my blog, the third baby is already getting the short end of the stick and they haven't even arrived yet!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgh9NkKSbyAkGYHQPb0_BniGmJ8EQx5TS2CQdWibO0S9cqh5uD9Jzd5PoqNbuDSgMA6yMt0bo6PMGOFMa5fVn_YRzoJHJ_YipZEnYTedH3X76mjIP3xCs-19t-o657f30-jk6wiMz8O2p/s1600/boy+or+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgh9NkKSbyAkGYHQPb0_BniGmJ8EQx5TS2CQdWibO0S9cqh5uD9Jzd5PoqNbuDSgMA6yMt0bo6PMGOFMa5fVn_YRzoJHJ_YipZEnYTedH3X76mjIP3xCs-19t-o657f30-jk6wiMz8O2p/s1600/boy+or+girl.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I posted this picture on my facebook page back in July when we found out the baby's gender. Johnathan (6) and Robert (16 months) are each eating an ice cream cone, one blue and one pink. I posted this picture on my facebook page and then went to bed....without providing an answer, boy was that fun. My friends and family were dying to know and I went to bed and didn't give them the answer. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhClomKGSm06ZPYiJlUB6LD_TtLOiHOtiMLo7DjkWhKGKGbaUDM-THnzMKfYjByqOWX8KVpSfC8D2KtGJTyC25MW14zIgPZzhcKxV5aQ5XdGnt_DeEc-0jGH8gZmC82wtjuS6KdOETmHK/s1600/Boy!!!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhClomKGSm06ZPYiJlUB6LD_TtLOiHOtiMLo7DjkWhKGKGbaUDM-THnzMKfYjByqOWX8KVpSfC8D2KtGJTyC25MW14zIgPZzhcKxV5aQ5XdGnt_DeEc-0jGH8gZmC82wtjuS6KdOETmHK/s1600/Boy!!!.jpg" height="240" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The next day, I posted this picture. YES! Another boy! Three boys! Being the oldest of three girls, I somehow had this strong feeling I would end up with all boys. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVszoqWPz22DjKEQMasBihlI3B_ZW1S_b4ROyxuj0xy4s4Ipmf0rrIzqeyQ3X5U6GQWh6TCX06urZkgQRZvOmlXOhLqkk8yibQfRRhtJk8yJnYEg8WlHjyjwfxXn2Z4tW5ngCfBhtKTApl/s1600/DSCN6392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVszoqWPz22DjKEQMasBihlI3B_ZW1S_b4ROyxuj0xy4s4Ipmf0rrIzqeyQ3X5U6GQWh6TCX06urZkgQRZvOmlXOhLqkk8yibQfRRhtJk8yJnYEg8WlHjyjwfxXn2Z4tW5ngCfBhtKTApl/s1600/DSCN6392.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also took a couple other photos and I thought this one of the two boys is cute. I know, Johnathan's face is half cut off (hence why it wasn't used) but it is still a cute picture documenting our news. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYTskhwwglLVWQY_xOo-ie9v1XEF7NrGTfC5HEDNbsyOXltjm_IW39QcPBpR3cPRcWu8bP0bSqprwG05RHaWRzzDO1-goO0IreJ3kEQEoz0eAmiYHhrsetQ1EFkAzHrg0c6wA1Xj0NdBG/s1600/DSCN6395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYTskhwwglLVWQY_xOo-ie9v1XEF7NrGTfC5HEDNbsyOXltjm_IW39QcPBpR3cPRcWu8bP0bSqprwG05RHaWRzzDO1-goO0IreJ3kEQEoz0eAmiYHhrsetQ1EFkAzHrg0c6wA1Xj0NdBG/s1600/DSCN6395.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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You got to love this photo of poor little Robbie crying. Is it because it is a boy? Is it because he has to share his mommy? I'm not sure but this picture is just priceless to me. I'm pretty positive he will be happier than he is in this picture when his little brother arrives (fingers crossed). <br />
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ANOTHER BIRTHDAY<br />
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I turned another year older a couple weeks ago. The hubby and I took a nice extended weekend alone in the Wisconsin Dells and did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING without the boys. Yes that's right, we did nothing. It was wonderful. No dishes, no vacuuming, no cooking, no crazy kids crying in our ears. Nate watched a lot of cable television and I did some shopping. It was great.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzjHsV_VPEIpOF0Ovxj-4x8pII012ZryBQAYJA8zm7buOPnV0noaIAHBgBjkLXLeS6wsuE_utSnHK4_HxfoYpRLCjS4GD6S_DUCd8y4dtFTumJXCYHDnALmMA_jQX3QgQ7W2_-1T3eCb9/s1600/DSCN6666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzjHsV_VPEIpOF0Ovxj-4x8pII012ZryBQAYJA8zm7buOPnV0noaIAHBgBjkLXLeS6wsuE_utSnHK4_HxfoYpRLCjS4GD6S_DUCd8y4dtFTumJXCYHDnALmMA_jQX3QgQ7W2_-1T3eCb9/s1600/DSCN6666.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here I am on my birthday, 32 weeks pregnant with both my boys, Johnathan (6) and Robert (19 months). To their surprise, they bought me that nice yellow purse. The best part of my day: Johnathan thought I turned 23, I didn't bother correcting him.<br />
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MY HEALTH<br />
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Those of you that know me, you know during Johnathan's pregnancy I suffered really bad from vomiting. I vomited everyday from week 8 to week 21 or 22. It was aweful. I lost somewhere around 10-15 lbs while pregnant with him. With Robert, I had gallbladder issues. I thought it was pre-term labor and doctor said, "nope, sounds like gallbladder". Ugh, I knew that was bad news as my hubby had his removed a few years prior. If you remember, I ended up having mine removed through an emergency surgery 3 months after Robert's birth. My attack started during my sister's <a href="http://furloughedtime.blogspot.com/2013/08/wedding-showers.html">bridal shower</a>, that I hosted. What a mess. Oh, and his delivery resulted in a unplanned C-Section but of course only after laboring naturally for 16 hours and pushing for two. <br />
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I thought for sure all the above issues meant this third pregnancy would be a cake walk. Nope. Not so. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes a couple months ago. I've been checking my blood sugar three times a day ever since, along with changing my nightly routine of a bowl of ice cream. It hasn't been too hard but certainly adds another layer of complexity to my pregnancy. Last month I was also diagnosed with a hernia. Oh joy. Luck me. It is ugly but at least it isn't painful (knocking very hard on wood right now).<br />
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So as you might guess, I'm looking forward to these next few weeks to whiz by quickly and I can't wait to hold that new baby boy in my arms.<br />
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CRAFTS<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2knAINRgGgX3NEydfjtRIniFiv3HtBQWYRdrddtYNmIVlL9uMX5hC637Bkvg7UybuesrzDyBGZwt9v0jXq6ZioBH1-9Ae7i_x7w2gZLO_xBWt3f_Hn9J43JYZ6NJISLGvMS23TBI45Nkz/s1600/DSCN6695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2knAINRgGgX3NEydfjtRIniFiv3HtBQWYRdrddtYNmIVlL9uMX5hC637Bkvg7UybuesrzDyBGZwt9v0jXq6ZioBH1-9Ae7i_x7w2gZLO_xBWt3f_Hn9J43JYZ6NJISLGvMS23TBI45Nkz/s1600/DSCN6695.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have found some time but not a lot to craft. Some of it might be
more nesting than crafting. I've been really busy with banner
orders from my etsy shop: <a href="http://I have found some but not a lot of time to craft. Some of it might be more nesting than crafting. I've been really really busy with banner orders. Particularly this week has been busy, I think I had 6 orders come in. ">Furloughed Time</a>. This week has been particularly busy, I think I had 6 orders
come in. Here's a quick shot of four orders lined up on my bed waiting for me to package them up and get my butt to the post office before the close at 12 noon. The current best seller on my site (by far) is the <a href="http://I have found some but not a lot of time to craft. Some of it might be more nesting than crafting. I've been really really busy with banner orders. Particularly this week has been busy, I think I had 6 orders come in. ">Where The Wild Things Are Banner</a>. Really, you can't go wrong, the book is so darn cute. <br />
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NESTING<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEYFe26kVgH_dBtv82R_kHhNWq1wZ-yfbtxR0hsT7qCVOI7POkYE6qF_gPJxCtTkb89c1DrZofAQ3FWMisZjHza4e0miSgeKflbGhxGAWj9A3d7-g6Hh1Db0l5sKXAOvTVi-UhKa8qXTt/s1600/DSCN6683%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEYFe26kVgH_dBtv82R_kHhNWq1wZ-yfbtxR0hsT7qCVOI7POkYE6qF_gPJxCtTkb89c1DrZofAQ3FWMisZjHza4e0miSgeKflbGhxGAWj9A3d7-g6Hh1Db0l5sKXAOvTVi-UhKa8qXTt/s1600/DSCN6683%5B1%5D.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-5VGPiTjTsKpoLzdF19v4i4ks4wC3r8FfWRaMbL94j02FHff_1ySIg7OUY6VMhhfc4PPY9bVsq1ojd7TSUJdaYUZdEfd03m90Wj8cbKBdsB6Jdv2BOKc3mY6Vh5IsKGRBrezcwqtxQi9/s1600/DSCN6682%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-5VGPiTjTsKpoLzdF19v4i4ks4wC3r8FfWRaMbL94j02FHff_1ySIg7OUY6VMhhfc4PPY9bVsq1ojd7TSUJdaYUZdEfd03m90Wj8cbKBdsB6Jdv2BOKc3mY6Vh5IsKGRBrezcwqtxQi9/s1600/DSCN6682%5B1%5D.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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I also FINALLY finished painting the hallway on our 1st and 2nd floors. This only took me....oh two years to complete. I thought by the time I finished it, I would be ready for a new color but I will not be painting it anytime soon. It is a nice soft stone white. I love it. In an upcoming post I'll show you what I did with all the blank walls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDPRPnGXlURtuLpyMB8toQ6HtKj9OnKmXOU1eX0-9UB0B8tUdxJ5qOQKQMYJ7VZqWanKyHnGZOybsyUc-HooHeLebj4QWjoRTKSzR564NMIQigm7m26geQrrcK6B5kTUSPUBilnNmIM4F/s1600/DSCN6684%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDPRPnGXlURtuLpyMB8toQ6HtKj9OnKmXOU1eX0-9UB0B8tUdxJ5qOQKQMYJ7VZqWanKyHnGZOybsyUc-HooHeLebj4QWjoRTKSzR564NMIQigm7m26geQrrcK6B5kTUSPUBilnNmIM4F/s1600/DSCN6684%5B1%5D.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNU2LFWJI_ejIXIjuXCmj669z3xouLslL03Y2RlV0PuDBLae0jEb1EGhat9kzSPovPX21Z6asv8kNrk_wSFiFENiYr3vybmnGrAFjatzRsklTciqFO3Ax3RbkkJ54P4AvbPllOhpjl7FLO/s1600/DSCN6687%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNU2LFWJI_ejIXIjuXCmj669z3xouLslL03Y2RlV0PuDBLae0jEb1EGhat9kzSPovPX21Z6asv8kNrk_wSFiFENiYr3vybmnGrAFjatzRsklTciqFO3Ax3RbkkJ54P4AvbPllOhpjl7FLO/s1600/DSCN6687%5B1%5D.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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And last by not least, it doesn't look like much but Robert FINALLY has a bedroom. He no longer lives in the TV Room with a crib in it. He legitimately has a bedroom with NO television junk in it. It only took 19 months but hey, we did it before baby #3 got here. I was hopeful to get rid of the peach trim and yellow walls before baby #3 arrived but that's just not happening at this point. Robert hasn't been the best sleeper so he isn't ready for a roommate so all the kids will be separated for a few months still.<br />
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If the weather holds up and I find a second wind, who knows MAYBE I'll paint but with only five weeks to go before baby #3 arrives, I'm more concerned about....oh you know....dragging the newborn clothes out of the attic and buying a dresser to store them in so they don't have to walk around naked or I have to look for clothes in boxes or baskets and drive myself looney (let's face it, I'm already looney enough). <br />
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Thanks for coming back and checking out my site. I hope to sneak in more time to share what's been going on in my house. I don't want to jinx it, but rumor has it that next weekend might bring me the best household item yet.....stay tuned. <br />
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<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5091364509292734508.post-6357380231480043202014-08-24T14:27:00.000-05:002014-10-22T16:28:11.139-05:00Calendar Card Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every year I make my Mother in-law a yearly calendar that she hangs on her fridge. On each page there is a space to put a picture of the boys on it. This turns into a nice little living scrapbook that she uses year round.<br />
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For the past couple of years I have turned this into a card class and have invited women to my house to complete the class and gift the item away to their loved ones, it has become a popular class.<br />
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This post will show you the details of this year's calendar page by page. I don't plan on going into detail as to where I bought my supplies from so if you see something you like and want to get it for yourself, please contact me and I will be happy to supply you the information. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr59Txa17mE_LgckrMe19Ghzk-yzI-x7bzrJCNd3C__L_EUePL7U743aa_dy5x-MRE41Gu3TRBAwIGdaXbHVJCbHIzPVs-xUy5I6NOlcHwkZTgvklaeUwztm7ZKL_k4Ioj4ld8KMZCWDon/s1600/DSCN6563%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr59Txa17mE_LgckrMe19Ghzk-yzI-x7bzrJCNd3C__L_EUePL7U743aa_dy5x-MRE41Gu3TRBAwIGdaXbHVJCbHIzPVs-xUy5I6NOlcHwkZTgvklaeUwztm7ZKL_k4Ioj4ld8KMZCWDon/s1600/DSCN6563%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Here is the cover. I keep is real simple since this page is not really seen (except when my MIL initially opens the gift at Christmas). You can see the water damage in the corner, this is the risk I take when using my original projects in a card class, I'll fix this somehow before gifting it to her. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAIWpS6swKGaj-GeuA28uXpm92PeI5aPKc8Q52pr8ezZ3dAc9rZ6iUlYNc4opuSnmwTRZxbPMANDaz7WDLie2YqORb6xH4UIdAyzVSt2ZmPn0G6Z2FnT8_aeL4HdExxL5riyvfVHCRISb/s1600/DSCN6564%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAIWpS6swKGaj-GeuA28uXpm92PeI5aPKc8Q52pr8ezZ3dAc9rZ6iUlYNc4opuSnmwTRZxbPMANDaz7WDLie2YqORb6xH4UIdAyzVSt2ZmPn0G6Z2FnT8_aeL4HdExxL5riyvfVHCRISb/s1600/DSCN6564%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
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I try to keep the picture sizes at 4X6, it makes my life a little easier as the year goes on to not have to worry about special sized pictures (I email or mail her a picture each month rather than filling them in before gifting it to her). If you complete a project like this, you will want to decide if you want to fill it before gifting it or send them pictures throughout the year. I like to send her pictures throughout the year so she has a current picture of both the boys each month (and there is some excitement in getting a new picture each month!). Since they are so young, they grow so fast and pre-filling it would give her fairly outdated pictures of them (esp the 1 year old). </div>
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I'm still crazy about buying all my paper as digital files from etsy. It is just so much easier to print paper on demand rather than buy sheets as needed from a store. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKasnOAFrUYvrnZqcIKxWoik36lccILEJP1skxE2gtn2_IGu1kBFAz_DtxRhTqieFjdfoFBOE54ISfaFBqWOBgN7lYfEsZC5GoMelyOhajHbCwhVx3INvJehNB3CTktYBVkXok7aR0wqua/s1600/DSCN6566%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKasnOAFrUYvrnZqcIKxWoik36lccILEJP1skxE2gtn2_IGu1kBFAz_DtxRhTqieFjdfoFBOE54ISfaFBqWOBgN7lYfEsZC5GoMelyOhajHbCwhVx3INvJehNB3CTktYBVkXok7aR0wqua/s1600/DSCN6566%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can see I like to use a mix of die cuts and stamps on most pages but sometimes I improvise, which is the case with this very large shamrock. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCMtiS9_67I_hiK7Yf923590b7Wzu1B2oMJ_9AfCTsetfUyt1wa06-z_Xu-qz_q8-pvjV9JlWLo5jK3WaDc7Xr7MFGR6pl9ejj4BWRh90MTQsYfA3zM_RUZ7QgWm3TdZMTd4ow-qtREv4/s1600/DSCN6567%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCMtiS9_67I_hiK7Yf923590b7Wzu1B2oMJ_9AfCTsetfUyt1wa06-z_Xu-qz_q8-pvjV9JlWLo5jK3WaDc7Xr7MFGR6pl9ejj4BWRh90MTQsYfA3zM_RUZ7QgWm3TdZMTd4ow-qtREv4/s1600/DSCN6567%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some pages are more simple than others.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep4ggdEBFjbYkFJXdPLcoNhINCiBEIy5IKwCdHS11XkMgBekKRzfF2LNu4WK97HQiomsUcqNdc3z6zYPXGWDTe2TmZxd8H8HH_9f72RKXyZeI-PxL9twuww2PHrQh0bT3KcVE6VLDVpxK/s1600/DSCN6568%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep4ggdEBFjbYkFJXdPLcoNhINCiBEIy5IKwCdHS11XkMgBekKRzfF2LNu4WK97HQiomsUcqNdc3z6zYPXGWDTe2TmZxd8H8HH_9f72RKXyZeI-PxL9twuww2PHrQh0bT3KcVE6VLDVpxK/s1600/DSCN6568%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
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This page uses a lot of washi tape, This is a fun way to get rid of scrap pieces of washi, ribbon, or scrapbook paper you have laying around and don't know what to do with it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuRmbjSIr5Vh3XjeJhsP8HFX9hyphenhyphenK5k1CqMBxbN5jYubrauQu1vwJmKSPJ1vIozyCMS5I8KQ-L3auLeTh08uiOrDOsCd6U_1PVvE-K7Vld29ogLgHUGInqFuaHuSzsedQTCHKotZn8H_Zb/s1600/DSCN6569%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuRmbjSIr5Vh3XjeJhsP8HFX9hyphenhyphenK5k1CqMBxbN5jYubrauQu1vwJmKSPJ1vIozyCMS5I8KQ-L3auLeTh08uiOrDOsCd6U_1PVvE-K7Vld29ogLgHUGInqFuaHuSzsedQTCHKotZn8H_Zb/s1600/DSCN6569%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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A closer shot so you can see the month "May" die cut in the corner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduW1lSQj-selFe19PTNokdX5XRX4jtNikxkEAEcg7lx9c5dgCNtpivZ6VvlGpqxi0JqGh4dYjmqPI6Z-fsKBxA0v0jQSHz2aspK-MlIjEzcVrG4kUU0D5tnaTcM2QAOh6jK3SbhDatOGG/s1600/DSCN6570%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduW1lSQj-selFe19PTNokdX5XRX4jtNikxkEAEcg7lx9c5dgCNtpivZ6VvlGpqxi0JqGh4dYjmqPI6Z-fsKBxA0v0jQSHz2aspK-MlIjEzcVrG4kUU0D5tnaTcM2QAOh6jK3SbhDatOGG/s1600/DSCN6570%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is cute page, but ugh, if you are making this for 15 people and die cutting the pieces out for them, you will be kicking yourself over the cones and vanilla ice cream scopes! For those that just bought a make and take from me, they were sent home with a stamped image of these two items and they will need to cut them out the old fashioned way (with a scissors). Sorry girls, but I'd still be running these pieces through my machine if I did that! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja7Tu-RNvjXD1l4V-PT4ZeEdgai2pNfh4OfBwcX5I_2vM9L6_DonNymiKzymmgyH4afDTf7JPNJwFI-1ImO5CFhYVM9U3X828JZEqJ7QEL6yPFDrD5JLP-8v42jW4BvilynMY3SDcZGfY/s1600/DSCN6571%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja7Tu-RNvjXD1l4V-PT4ZeEdgai2pNfh4OfBwcX5I_2vM9L6_DonNymiKzymmgyH4afDTf7JPNJwFI-1ImO5CFhYVM9U3X828JZEqJ7QEL6yPFDrD5JLP-8v42jW4BvilynMY3SDcZGfY/s1600/DSCN6571%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Can't wait to fill this one with a cute picture of the boys all decked out for the fourth of July! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8Uw2L9yByZkxviPap66CyLgiKOw3r-L0SEtZTsFAcm3G8uqd_YrvUVPuknnikce7zaAyTQTC_9uqOeoP2l46RAon7tGcpqqTspNnX2l7Qhhllwzkq9ZWmGXJkWtfWCuwvtP69wHiTE0j/s1600/DSCN6572%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8Uw2L9yByZkxviPap66CyLgiKOw3r-L0SEtZTsFAcm3G8uqd_YrvUVPuknnikce7zaAyTQTC_9uqOeoP2l46RAon7tGcpqqTspNnX2l7Qhhllwzkq9ZWmGXJkWtfWCuwvtP69wHiTE0j/s1600/DSCN6572%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some designs get a little tricky, this one for instance, you do not want to glue the tops of the "picture frames" down so that the recipient can slide the picture into the page. If you are pre-filling the pictures in for them, of course this is not an issue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-U_qf01KcRoW2pbX2xkdo9WFCXRd6KiwSpVAS5rSC0zYKA_4VXpVjfvzse2bRdIoZR6kKbiD2fredhEsLwouffrewYwFD0IPj5UCNuou9ZB7H-uZAZjmExu8TsX-cN5eM7xfaYfLW2qF/s1600/DSCN6573%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-U_qf01KcRoW2pbX2xkdo9WFCXRd6KiwSpVAS5rSC0zYKA_4VXpVjfvzse2bRdIoZR6kKbiD2fredhEsLwouffrewYwFD0IPj5UCNuou9ZB7H-uZAZjmExu8TsX-cN5eM7xfaYfLW2qF/s1600/DSCN6573%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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A little closer shot of this page. This page just screams summertime! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfg65l0uZvph1LIUd0OgVRx0KOGfZHaaBuICU5OB7KW6_ELaKRApOjkegr8wjyz_7MugFpNnkXiVD16Heo5i10Ydq387q7bHHRCtg4DPlLK471VhyphenhyphenL5BoQg4TPGsph2oTaXZgNVhMu4Rp/s1600/DSCN6574%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfg65l0uZvph1LIUd0OgVRx0KOGfZHaaBuICU5OB7KW6_ELaKRApOjkegr8wjyz_7MugFpNnkXiVD16Heo5i10Ydq387q7bHHRCtg4DPlLK471VhyphenhyphenL5BoQg4TPGsph2oTaXZgNVhMu4Rp/s1600/DSCN6574%5B1%5D.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is September's page, I am going to have my son write his name on this before gifting it, I thought seeing his penmanship on a page is a nice special touch that my MIL will love. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJJ6braFqKfcy2loRAfz8fEWVtZ8lCC1Ay8gbvNvWw8VhQGRayPwlCOZF79qjcYBrkqrdQezvzukmiF5Kwu37peWP_eoJQCDIZY74nwMhKTe7MvN9OEmGoYV3TYGCD_kUrwphWw-3Zmvh/s1600/DSCN6575%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJJ6braFqKfcy2loRAfz8fEWVtZ8lCC1Ay8gbvNvWw8VhQGRayPwlCOZF79qjcYBrkqrdQezvzukmiF5Kwu37peWP_eoJQCDIZY74nwMhKTe7MvN9OEmGoYV3TYGCD_kUrwphWw-3Zmvh/s1600/DSCN6575%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Halloween pages are my favorite, I love all the cute little stamps of ghosts, witches, and pumpkins that are out on the market. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxLxshdZaJnnlc9Y0b_hoUtQSQHRpDRRtzu4Zf-9y_f00zos1qD4Dwu3Nqc75z-PYERi7WohQoNWgarYjHF-e2zlq6tc-k3Wb43GK0ST0HYE_IoBRLOMmtjPBeqn5JwPmoPXoUGJBRlRq/s1600/DSCN6576%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxLxshdZaJnnlc9Y0b_hoUtQSQHRpDRRtzu4Zf-9y_f00zos1qD4Dwu3Nqc75z-PYERi7WohQoNWgarYjHF-e2zlq6tc-k3Wb43GK0ST0HYE_IoBRLOMmtjPBeqn5JwPmoPXoUGJBRlRq/s1600/DSCN6576%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fall in general is a favorite of mine, I love the nice warm colors. It is also my favorite season. What's not to love: Packers, crisp cool air, and yummy warm casseroles. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ3We8SijwvmXcs1ScEkVpzOchidXwzbqnkLqYJDI5eSsjeH7YumCHqyiqzUy7m6-52KNQxCIaNsoLrJ_6WKKwHn545v8ch5sLhI5MMYdhozfmQUyLoTbJ66RI36x5i9SoujU3sWXQkvK/s1600/DSCN6577%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ3We8SijwvmXcs1ScEkVpzOchidXwzbqnkLqYJDI5eSsjeH7YumCHqyiqzUy7m6-52KNQxCIaNsoLrJ_6WKKwHn545v8ch5sLhI5MMYdhozfmQUyLoTbJ66RI36x5i9SoujU3sWXQkvK/s1600/DSCN6577%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course last but not least, December. Always a fun month to decorate! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKp88KalKWVfjenRvEDkxs0euiBTqlFVGfKKm9ueEdRna4voAbX0xb_dugEP1u4shq-IRJ043ukvkOJUObwCWupiiDk7115KD8-tW2qF1jXOMve_aTcrEZ2C5oTgat0EGVdLGrN-hTqiF6/s1600/DSCN6523%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6_wggYOAb2lTfBETtnVVCGJ60ekdPq9ov_1ONudlfblT4Zsb1fc_glqqnVx-Vp1-G0xkMaqSZApINSktdfK2HXm0hmxCi03i6c1ErnJOJOjfikdnE3roJFRazJ-WHclkDYHp6evMJcDb/s1600/DSCN6527%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6_wggYOAb2lTfBETtnVVCGJ60ekdPq9ov_1ONudlfblT4Zsb1fc_glqqnVx-Vp1-G0xkMaqSZApINSktdfK2HXm0hmxCi03i6c1ErnJOJOjfikdnE3roJFRazJ-WHclkDYHp6evMJcDb/s1600/DSCN6527%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a picture of my class all set up. It happens right in my dining room. This is set up for 3 people with me working on one side setting up 10 make and takes. Lots and lots of make and takes this month!<br />
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Well, there are all the details. For those of you that ordered a make and take from me, this should give you enough detail to start gluing those pages together! If not, ask and I am more than willing to help.<br />
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If you are looking to complete a similar project and want to know where I got my supplies, comment below or send me an email and I will be more than happy to help.<br />
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Happy crafting everyone! <br />
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*All stamps and dies came from Papertrey Ink.<br />
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<br />Erickahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575859389452439818noreply@blogger.com0