tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43709369457702373242024-03-19T05:38:52.092-07:00Somebody's Girl, Young and In LoveAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520685452047260547noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-88933925479656533842012-11-28T08:09:00.002-08:002012-11-28T08:09:42.731-08:00Our Christmas Card is Finished!<div align="center" class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;">
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif); height: 6px;">
</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px;">
<div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding: 14px 0px 0px 14px; text-align: center; width: 105px;">
<img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0;" /></div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZtGjho3bMmzpw&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=118" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AZtGjho3bMm2g/0AZtGjho3bMm2uhg/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1354118871000/0/" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); border: medium none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0px;" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; text-align: center;">
<div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">
Photo Card</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">
View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif); height: 6px;">
</div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520685452047260547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-60429017039835171482012-05-25T08:18:00.001-07:002012-05-25T08:18:51.642-07:00Deck Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPqvDfvpLiH24A8puSuARAJMWDfukNCZxwU0LxoBOszbS2wbvMeXmPPun185i6ILwJShEWy0mFjBcgCvJWLhJnDzEJ5SzGoGdOjJqDWCCfwbcQt57fgH-zQH4e7Yjo0WJ0jSLxvob-BI/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPqvDfvpLiH24A8puSuARAJMWDfukNCZxwU0LxoBOszbS2wbvMeXmPPun185i6ILwJShEWy0mFjBcgCvJWLhJnDzEJ5SzGoGdOjJqDWCCfwbcQt57fgH-zQH4e7Yjo0WJ0jSLxvob-BI/s400/flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Now that our front yard looks a little better thanks to some seeding and my new found ability to not kill every potted plant I've been given, I'm starting on making our back deck look nice. Unfortunately because of deed restrictions, I can't create my own flower beds or vegetable garden in the back, so I'll have to settle for a deck garden. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So far, it's mostly flowers, but I do have strawberries growing in a hanging basket (which apparently you can do!). I'm thinking about some tomatoes and maybe some other veggies that do well in pots. What else should I add?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Headed to Goodwill over the weekend to find some outdoor tables and plant stands to repaint and spruce up the deck further. More pictures to follow!</span></span>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520685452047260547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-33533163994432145662012-04-13T07:50:00.003-07:002012-04-13T07:52:41.935-07:00Use Your Muscle, Carve It Out, Work It, Hustle<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">While blogging regularly was not one of my New Year's Resolutions, losing some weight was. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhackl5n-mL_HmLYib2gkB3k7vbsiaU6IDA0HVcKcwIjKqK-k155tLGlhMlWzrV6a8M1Eqe0GOLmV6Ai4aJEjUPc_U_y6frEUTo2nxBxEcunL1Wd7piN86EsSTqLSygWokwYzKEje1QAg8/s1600/10+lbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhackl5n-mL_HmLYib2gkB3k7vbsiaU6IDA0HVcKcwIjKqK-k155tLGlhMlWzrV6a8M1Eqe0GOLmV6Ai4aJEjUPc_U_y6frEUTo2nxBxEcunL1Wd7piN86EsSTqLSygWokwYzKEje1QAg8/s1600/10+lbs.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">After the (good) stress of getting married and planning a wedding, the (good) stress of buying our first house, and the (not so good) stress of losing my dad, I found that I had spent about 2.5 years developing some not-so-fantastic habits where eating and exercising are concerned. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Back when I was in college, I was in decent shape because I walked everywhere and had the metabolism of the 20-year-old that I was. When I moved back home after college for a few months in May of 2008, I started being more sedentary working at a desk job, so I got myself a Y membership. With everything that was going on at home with my dad's illness and the chaos that surrounded it, the gym was an escape. I lived at home, so the hefty price tag for the gym didn't seem so bad because my expenses were minimal. I was relatively healthy, and in decent shape, going to classes 3 days a week.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">When Alex and I moved in together in December of 2008, my gym membership got dropped because it was suddenly a luxury that I couldn't afford. Luckily I was in decent shape, so it didn't seem like that big of a sacrifice, but as I stopped going to the gym, I started to get into those bad habits I mentioned before. Dad was sick and going to visit was difficult. When I wasn't over there helping, I was at home recovering -- lying on the couch like a lump and eating junk food and drinking wine. When Dad passed away, it only got worse, and I slowly started to gain weight. It was definitely part of the grieving process, so I allowed myself a little leeway. I understand that at that time in my life, I needed to be gentle with myself, so a few extra pounds were small price to pay for dealing with enormous grief.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">When we moved into our house in April 2010, I still couldn't afford the gym but was a full 10 pounds from my college weight, so I bought myself the Chalean Extreme program from Beach Body as a compromise. Spending $100 one time seemed reasonable rather than spending $55/month on a gym membership. I also supplemented those workouts with running on the elliptical at the gym my work provides a membership to for $6/month. It worked for a while, but I learned a lot about myself trying to do this program, going to the gym, and being self-motivated. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It turns out I am self motivated enough to get started, but I am not motivated enough to make it through long, difficult workouts without some encouragement. I had done much better at the Y where taking a class meant working hard with 30 other people around you. Giving up and quitting halfway through the class was embarrassing, and not an option as far as my pride was concerned. After a few months of starting and restarting Chalean about 20 different times and never getting very far, I sucked it up, reworked my budget, and found the money to rejoin the Y.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On December 13th, 2011, I decided to commit for real this time. Four months later, I am more than halfway to my goal of returning to (and staying at) my college weight. There were a few things that have made the difference this time.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><blockquote>
<b>First and foremost, I think I am just finally ready to make a change. </b>I have been working on being kinder to myself in all aspects of my life because I have realized that I tend to be extremely hard on myself -- and helping myself to be a healthier person is one of the kindest things I can do for me. I am working every day to be the person I want to be, and being healthy is a part of that plan. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>I joined </b><b>Livestrong.com, </b>and have tracked my food and exercise every single day, even when I have a "bad" day and go over my calories. (I figure that I can lie to the food tracker, but what's the point when your body keeps an accurate record no matter what you tell yourself?) Sometimes it's tough to see what I have eaten, but seeing it there in black and white makes it easier to own up to and do better next time. Also, Livestrong helps me figure out what I should be eating and has helped me to balance out my diet better and control my portions. Did you know that one scone can be over 800 calories? I didn't. Also, Alex is bigger than me. It was a huge lesson to realize that if I wanted to stay smaller than him, I'd better stop eating the same amount of food as him at every meal. </span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And if I really want that scone or ice cream or giant gooey fudgy chocolate brownie? I exercise, and enter it into the Fitness tracker, and go ahead and eat it! Trying to be better about eating doesn't mean starving myself or giving up the stuff I love. It wouldn't work for me if it did. If I slip up and eat something really terrible, I don't feel guilty about it. I just try to make up for it later in the week, and am gentle with myself about needing to eat junk every once in a while. The difference is, it's the exception, not the rule anymore. I am creating good habits.</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's an example of one of the charts Livestrong proivdes that helps keep me motivated as I go along. You can see that I have had some ups and downs, but if you keep things in perspective (looking at the whole 4 months instead of just this week), it makes it easier to see and appreciate progress.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60DMTIBDb7nzQ2LUnx_VEEt95-ngKtGvhOXB20W87WLiA1iY53NeYQ5HaNwXGiysBpg0BuWO-9uCT_6F7mAZrwsuUfj_ovnWlyEG_7zEq-r3dcL7wiMcgQ7E68FVh5Dubn0Mjh7j6KfE/s1600/chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60DMTIBDb7nzQ2LUnx_VEEt95-ngKtGvhOXB20W87WLiA1iY53NeYQ5HaNwXGiysBpg0BuWO-9uCT_6F7mAZrwsuUfj_ovnWlyEG_7zEq-r3dcL7wiMcgQ7E68FVh5Dubn0Mjh7j6KfE/s400/chart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>I joined </b><b>Fitocracy.com</b>, which is a website that makes exercise a game. When you work out, you track your fitness and gain points to level up. My husband and quite a few of my friends play as well, so it makes working out a competition not only with yourself, but with your friends. I personally love being able to gloat about kicking my coworker's asses and being three levels higher than them around the coffee pot on Monday morning.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>I have a gym buddy.</b> Even though she's not always there because she's as busy as I am, I have done much better this time around because my Aunt Lynn meets me at the gym and we do our classes together. It's really hard to talk yourself into skipping a workout when you know someone is counting on you to be there. We push each other and have both lost more weight this time around because we have each other for support. Also, we motivate each other to change up which classes we go to. I think we have officially been to all but two of the classes offered at the Y right now, and we do at least one new or different class a week.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>I have a weight loss marble jar</b>, which sound ridiculous, but is actually really motivating. Sitting on my kitchen counter at home, I have one "To Lose" jar that started out holding one marble for every half pound I want to lose. For each half pound I lose, I move one marble to the "lost weight" jar. It's a really easy, visual way to track your progress, and like a kindergartner, I really look forward to moving marbles from one jar to the other. The one pictured below is from <b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/240731542551558327/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></b>, which is where I got the idea.</span></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/80361174570647598_rpfBhXkh_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/80361174570647598_rpfBhXkh_c.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>I hold myself accountable by posting to Facebook</b> when I make progress. Seeing the outpouring of positive reinforcement and encouragement from friends as I achieve goals makes it all the sweeter. I find myself looking forward to being able to say I lost another half-a-pound or pound.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>I surround myself with positivity and motivation.</b> Speaking of Pinterest, I currently have an entire board dedicated to <a href="http://pinterest.com/annie_urbanik/working-out-and-motivation/" target="_blank"><b>Working Out and Motivation</b></a>. It's awesome. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pinterest is also great for healthy recipes! </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(And as a side note, I also have a bad day go to board called <a href="http://pinterest.com/annie_urbanik/pure-happiness/" target="_blank"><b>Pure Happiness</b></a>, which is filled with cute animals and babies. Talk about a bad mood buster).</span></span> In addition to motivation I create for myself, I keep company with other people who are trying to do better with their fitness. Social networking is ridiculously cool for this. My friend Angelina ran 11 miles today. How could that not be motivating? My friends inspire me to be better, and hopefully I inspire them in return.</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</span></span>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520685452047260547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-48293013823127994762011-11-10T06:39:00.000-08:002011-11-10T10:40:16.109-08:00Sanity Saving Chore ChartSo ever since we started planning for the wedding, the house has sort of gotten away from me. To get myself back on track, I have been following the advice of Heather from <a href="http://www.home-ec101.com/clean-it/weekly-chore-schedule/"><b>Home-Ec 101</b></a> and trying to keep up with housework in about 15 to 20 minutes worth of cleaning every day.<br />
<br />
So far, this has been going swimmingly and my house is in much better shape. Also my stress levels are way down because I don't dread coming home to daunting piles of laundry and disgusting bathrooms — which is amazing.<br />
<br />
Here is <a href="http://static.home-ec101.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Home-Ec-101-Chore-Chart1.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Heather's chore chart PDF</b></a>, and below is my revised version. Click to make it bigger so you can actually read it...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8hn_PoHzk6yi71rOjCDwnR533-eH-9X2ywpbyDNrxW4Of25H2Da6g-MHOkDG66GEtCWR3xJJ1iIhHW_yCCAxBhJ9mfePnWKsaYuWMqcPv1KBOEA4tQWPncw9xEsIbJtamuBC5_vzkFA/s1600/Chore+Chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8hn_PoHzk6yi71rOjCDwnR533-eH-9X2ywpbyDNrxW4Of25H2Da6g-MHOkDG66GEtCWR3xJJ1iIhHW_yCCAxBhJ9mfePnWKsaYuWMqcPv1KBOEA4tQWPncw9xEsIbJtamuBC5_vzkFA/s320/Chore+Chart.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I tried to allocate one large chore and one small chore per day like Heather does in her version. I don't know if it will stay exactly like this, or if I'll need to modify, but so far so good. And, if I keep this up, the housework that has to be done on the weekends is minimal, leaving me time for bigger projects or to relax. All in all, a pretty great system.Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520685452047260547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-88596458895515117632011-11-01T06:23:00.000-07:002011-11-04T06:43:25.607-07:00Wannabe FashionistaI am no fashion blogger. Sometimes its even a miracle that I manage to get dressed in the morning. Recently, now that I have some spare time, I've been reading a lot of DIY and fashion blogs, so I've been trying to teach myself to pick out outfits. This week has yielded a few decent results. I'm sort of proud of my new attempts at grownup outfits, so I figured I'd share them with you.<br />
<br />
This one was for a night out to Two Stones with Matt and Nicole. I wore jeans, black flats, and my batwing sweater over top. I thought it was really cute. Alex thought it looked like an "art teacher" sweater and kept asking what the assignment was for the evening.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35RmLt6TnTxE_tS0WPkVh2j6IOgkruhpFyo0S3NAcl8nWyl9IBsgJcDrAOQcTqdfiw7Iq0Mul6x_LCTNpriLmPozkrsJdisbSJTvLI1-r68MFEbUuqd53QvXakO9c9_yfhrgS7O7O1wY/s1600/2011-10-22+19.16.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35RmLt6TnTxE_tS0WPkVh2j6IOgkruhpFyo0S3NAcl8nWyl9IBsgJcDrAOQcTqdfiw7Iq0Mul6x_LCTNpriLmPozkrsJdisbSJTvLI1-r68MFEbUuqd53QvXakO9c9_yfhrgS7O7O1wY/s320/2011-10-22+19.16.48.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Second animal print outfit of the week. This one was for girl's night with Daniella and Kirsten at Border Cafe. I love that the pants have zippers at the bottom, so you can zip them around your boots and scrunch them. This whole outfit is from Ann Taylor with boots from JCPenney. I felt like a little bit of a rockstar in this one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg2qyIULdOMl26pfr4PJaQHS1yvWYDy4PjQZ6Hc2OOOPc34c753SAjT-D2Fuaa0qlKAwIDFgHyYM_Yci9B8wQcQZ8ZtLqXHtdrbGZdJn25A2HcKsIFTH2c3U0hYNz5CaC3hF5ilswGDc/s1600/2011-10-26+13.06.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg2qyIULdOMl26pfr4PJaQHS1yvWYDy4PjQZ6Hc2OOOPc34c753SAjT-D2Fuaa0qlKAwIDFgHyYM_Yci9B8wQcQZ8ZtLqXHtdrbGZdJn25A2HcKsIFTH2c3U0hYNz5CaC3hF5ilswGDc/s320/2011-10-26+13.06.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And then yesterday, since I wasn't quite up to dressing for Halloween, I went with more Fall colors. Another "art teacher sweater", a metallic print top, brown pants, and gold flats.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MRgXd2JLugMR6JwKnbyb6HVlke0z7G7EqVhh95pFJDcIxiRLH09U7xSwChOtcmLGRQJIZGC-Ua8ioo835-HumFcFAA-6zdLUgS0iRoO39joxYwRKSunt9RiaOSdllXSilgcWhnxROQM/s1600/2011-10-31+08.35.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MRgXd2JLugMR6JwKnbyb6HVlke0z7G7EqVhh95pFJDcIxiRLH09U7xSwChOtcmLGRQJIZGC-Ua8ioo835-HumFcFAA-6zdLUgS0iRoO39joxYwRKSunt9RiaOSdllXSilgcWhnxROQM/s320/2011-10-31+08.35.35.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Last but not least, today. Color! Teal sweater over a white top with a ridiculously cool necklace that was on clearance at JCPenney. Jeans and the world's most comfortable teal flats from Naturalizer. Oh, and Elizabeth's magic wand for good measure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg9WjI1D88h4xea21Hv6PVYf1ASZIcNDZXd_lOHseu8SFTB2VIxX42Hl2H2A-yTLTXT0uIK9oY4jM5Dr-zWp8SUDv7enkHJ6LLzaVrXMQ97tQWkPn8IsULxQVbOVm9YVHqGXW24jzORM/s1600/2011-11-01+09.27.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg9WjI1D88h4xea21Hv6PVYf1ASZIcNDZXd_lOHseu8SFTB2VIxX42Hl2H2A-yTLTXT0uIK9oY4jM5Dr-zWp8SUDv7enkHJ6LLzaVrXMQ97tQWkPn8IsULxQVbOVm9YVHqGXW24jzORM/s320/2011-11-01+09.27.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
So now I just have to figure out what I want to wear for my birthday tomorrow!<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
<br />
EDIT: My birthday outfit was extremely cute, as was my makeup...but this is the only picture from the evening.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xugRt7E7fOFXooxPXNgRQbQ1qf7RoeFDGM9-agfg5d6qf2pyv4eZipnoJ9tAlFT1LjGUwjz14-XELJov0ecj4UIQHc3QZU1CxP0L_QjluJ7iCfAlsPZlp-dO3XZKsMDpuzvaRIw8MIw/s1600/312503_10100243882743934_11304012_49529742_1051504075_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xugRt7E7fOFXooxPXNgRQbQ1qf7RoeFDGM9-agfg5d6qf2pyv4eZipnoJ9tAlFT1LjGUwjz14-XELJov0ecj4UIQHc3QZU1CxP0L_QjluJ7iCfAlsPZlp-dO3XZKsMDpuzvaRIw8MIw/s320/312503_10100243882743934_11304012_49529742_1051504075_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In other news, here's my Friday outfit this week.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLDkhmFGO7nBlHUhXf92MkJ9bMeWLiQSdkZqhf1M25by8UFWtKw1Ysk0VoQTiGSBobiAGfmx1GeRant_QSHFgS3c6idJ2Gk5yqyVJOzl-kJXblQ4BV_UAFWLbdFUH6xSYGtR70JBY1eI/s1600/2011-11-04+09.14.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLDkhmFGO7nBlHUhXf92MkJ9bMeWLiQSdkZqhf1M25by8UFWtKw1Ysk0VoQTiGSBobiAGfmx1GeRant_QSHFgS3c6idJ2Gk5yqyVJOzl-kJXblQ4BV_UAFWLbdFUH6xSYGtR70JBY1eI/s320/2011-11-04+09.14.54.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks to this post, I've decided that making a Pinterest board to help me keep a visual record as I try different outfit combinations. <a href="http://pinterest.com/annie_urbanik/learning-to-dress-like-a-grownup/"><b>You can follow along here.</b></a>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520685452047260547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-71981699442961981142011-10-26T09:55:00.001-07:002011-10-26T10:29:45.271-07:00Autumn Meanderings<span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;">So now that the wedding is over, I've finally had some time to get back to basics. It feels really, really good to spend time working on the house and getting out to enjoy the fall. First order of business after the wedding? New haircut.<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBzd8T9SooG3gMox2SiUG900LhA2Sev35rrWqqggErnEbH2invYwIIqMEtg-wTVKH1qT0myc_gZaz0n0otA8a3rSedLYYt3dOKCIjn53R7Nnr9OSi7mPGa0KssxoMsGw8xbNbRU2Zaeo/s1600/new+hair.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBzd8T9SooG3gMox2SiUG900LhA2Sev35rrWqqggErnEbH2invYwIIqMEtg-wTVKH1qT0myc_gZaz0n0otA8a3rSedLYYt3dOKCIjn53R7Nnr9OSi7mPGa0KssxoMsGw8xbNbRU2Zaeo/s320/new+hair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667846322136731810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I honestly could not love the new bangs more. Even when I pull my hair up, it looks like I've at least put some thought into it. And luckily I didn't have any trouble training the new bangs to behave like I did last time I tried bangs.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Here's another cute shot of Mom and I at Bethany Blues down the beach.<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz47pIioWkq3NKF0aa4uzaACq7vAIudI01FkSqYAU9HSFEix5MXu9EeeRwJbGMlY0BoySpui5k8V3uZ4usjT-zG-92-WoaP5G4CGmCXpA2HiC6O-T8U7WRrpUxjME2hwjjXobjSa6mmTA/s1600/hair+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz47pIioWkq3NKF0aa4uzaACq7vAIudI01FkSqYAU9HSFEix5MXu9EeeRwJbGMlY0BoySpui5k8V3uZ4usjT-zG-92-WoaP5G4CGmCXpA2HiC6O-T8U7WRrpUxjME2hwjjXobjSa6mmTA/s320/hair+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667846696593268162" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Just as an aside, this was right after a grammy-nominated blind man sniffed me and told me that I was a good hippy dippy girl....but that's another story for another time.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">In addition to new hair, I've felt the need to update my look, which has meant pinup eyeliner, bright lipstick, and bold prints.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Case in point:<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN959IeeGl04YSZKOzVcWTcU2Mz41dX9nlQn3BHddTlCFMBPdU4yJFsgl-f3Kk3t9WWORLxd3fbpmdPpXUELDYBc-TmuoeNo-g7KdtbTW871ItgcmDYWvjDRmbAIFEOfTM72g3QK7_Pg/s1600/new+top.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN959IeeGl04YSZKOzVcWTcU2Mz41dX9nlQn3BHddTlCFMBPdU4yJFsgl-f3Kk3t9WWORLxd3fbpmdPpXUELDYBc-TmuoeNo-g7KdtbTW871ItgcmDYWvjDRmbAIFEOfTM72g3QK7_Pg/s320/new+top.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667847087931116210" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAvOLXmVpCadf0CmU-jNZRRYuoNCUA1sPE_bLwxncaiupZwAGTX0fX8UKl51E8duxkSbjXhZhyphenhyphenJJzsfb1isVJeyI76LLITnwwSfjhrW4zDjF9DBI0qPELxWESTr7149_bUF0V8MQ_wIQ/s1600/pic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAvOLXmVpCadf0CmU-jNZRRYuoNCUA1sPE_bLwxncaiupZwAGTX0fX8UKl51E8duxkSbjXhZhyphenhyphenJJzsfb1isVJeyI76LLITnwwSfjhrW4zDjF9DBI0qPELxWESTr7149_bUF0V8MQ_wIQ/s320/pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667849840366309298" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Don't worry, not everything I own is feline print. Just happened to be in a mood this week. Also, notice the gay pride flag behind me in my cubicle from the parade? I'm pretty sure our company's president thinks that Alex is a girl. Funny, no?</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br />Oh, and I also thrifted a great pair of gold Etienne Aignier shoes for $4! How fun is that?<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIs1KrEm5mIeo75stML8fB2_lm9hfophihE55PNQnn4-SS9Z05yybOBZ5OTxGMRkggS8dRbPmtt5TjSfZ8Li6SpCA-97aF8tYkpwywOE3DTFGACSIUqMq1t1lajgWnmA7zcanm4uMNUU/s1600/shoes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIs1KrEm5mIeo75stML8fB2_lm9hfophihE55PNQnn4-SS9Z05yybOBZ5OTxGMRkggS8dRbPmtt5TjSfZ8Li6SpCA-97aF8tYkpwywOE3DTFGACSIUqMq1t1lajgWnmA7zcanm4uMNUU/s320/shoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667851967789561410" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />In addition to getting myself ready for fall, I've also been working hard to get the house looking great. First and foremost, we've been trying to find time to mulch the yard for ages. It only took a few hours and two trips to Willey's, but it makes all the difference.<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigS6ZoDpMv-Jr5ScDUhjTenc-nOVzJkc95qIPF3Zgu7-A73I7h0csWqhVQK22BCfFAp5el6DVChyQAol6tY0SHAxb3kWDbrqvfMgdH5TOaz5rYOtJk5vIuLRKUE9AD7XM4gc1sn2h7CtQ/s1600/front+yard.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigS6ZoDpMv-Jr5ScDUhjTenc-nOVzJkc95qIPF3Zgu7-A73I7h0csWqhVQK22BCfFAp5el6DVChyQAol6tY0SHAxb3kWDbrqvfMgdH5TOaz5rYOtJk5vIuLRKUE9AD7XM4gc1sn2h7CtQ/s320/front+yard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667850268304550002" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Now if only our sad grass would fill in. I think we have Harper to thank for that mess. Also, take a look at our cool, new solar lights courtesy of Carin and Daniel! They make a huge difference when we're coming home at night and for late night trips outside with the dog.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br />On the front steps, I had planted jedi salvia in my barrel planter, which promptly died in the heat wave over the summer. My mother-in-law gave me some mums to replace the dead stuff, and I added some festive scarecrows and a pumpkin. Very cute!<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHjfATcxuXZMWo9af4GDL_J5XtwuAbfEMct6M2YxlGU2BdzWTOY5CokB7M3uPm4W7cvlM99yLykk_WDbFh96LzC598FiIs6gHVn-UZ2PBSHOBf3pIs9Cd158mKptznKorsQrZchaLRt0/s1600/potted+plant.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHjfATcxuXZMWo9af4GDL_J5XtwuAbfEMct6M2YxlGU2BdzWTOY5CokB7M3uPm4W7cvlM99yLykk_WDbFh96LzC598FiIs6gHVn-UZ2PBSHOBf3pIs9Cd158mKptznKorsQrZchaLRt0/s320/potted+plant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667850913592510978" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />On Friday, I tried my hand at pumpkin carving. Although it didn't come out quite like it was supposed to, I used ModCloth's pug template and made this.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulb53UU3mu-Eo0z5BZGuOUHFCH8eDDAgHSBrPfEoJm0UR2Iu9DTKTfKbssq0J0TmtTCsWH3unWN-JgRETf-jc3p6WsZY1PohFNy9SVwhBcCSU3W74gO86R_LUbDVJashbtxTKbuX332Q/s1600/pug.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulb53UU3mu-Eo0z5BZGuOUHFCH8eDDAgHSBrPfEoJm0UR2Iu9DTKTfKbssq0J0TmtTCsWH3unWN-JgRETf-jc3p6WsZY1PohFNy9SVwhBcCSU3W74gO86R_LUbDVJashbtxTKbuX332Q/s320/pug.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667852770941078802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6SxFRRYI4fv9KeHQjbXAD3QudneGsmpd9LBH-NslPseURiVC5zDIajREhDX-lU4bhv_rtVVG3o0Q4MCNBLQhUYe6WFSy3ryYtyse5y72RUWv-v-i5NMKrUBk824BffonxtABiw1toyc/s1600/pug+pumpkin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6SxFRRYI4fv9KeHQjbXAD3QudneGsmpd9LBH-NslPseURiVC5zDIajREhDX-lU4bhv_rtVVG3o0Q4MCNBLQhUYe6WFSy3ryYtyse5y72RUWv-v-i5NMKrUBk824BffonxtABiw1toyc/s320/pug+pumpkin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667851175942594610" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Unfortunately, her little face doesn't glow through like it is supposed to because the rind of the pumpkin is almost 2 inches thick, but I was very proud of my first attempt at pumpkin carving since the days I did it with my parents. I'm also starting to think I must have not helped too much with the actual cleaning out of the pumpkin, because that was SO much more of a pain in the ass than I remember...</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Last, but not least, fall and nice weather has meant more trips to the bark park for Harper! Here's me with Harper's new friend Payton. She may be tiny, but at 3 pounds and 4 months old, she held her own at the park! Too cute.<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP1ZxDBSmIowa3R_wYLrEVAoX18dB38e5fxqF01lb8uTxM-4aecS5zJ0AzH5u7zq3Kyo3fTDu06IOYixgscvxQi05mVGOu6LvBH4AoWvi5voF4G5WLvjzBXjVxkTyAq6aEAMiSCJVtZs/s1600/bark+park.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP1ZxDBSmIowa3R_wYLrEVAoX18dB38e5fxqF01lb8uTxM-4aecS5zJ0AzH5u7zq3Kyo3fTDu06IOYixgscvxQi05mVGOu6LvBH4AoWvi5voF4G5WLvjzBXjVxkTyAq6aEAMiSCJVtZs/s320/bark+park.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667852285910239346" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520685452047260547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-5770437337963661772011-09-07T05:51:00.000-07:002011-09-07T05:53:32.041-07:00Learning a New Dance Ten Days Before the Wedding<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So it turns out I can't foxtrot in my wedding dress for fear of stepping on the back of it and falling on my butt, so we're learning some salsa. I think we've got the dip down, though...</span><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyAcNIbyYJ6xhSoopZLiX3EQz6FvrAb9xVswIIUQhRzM_0LekYDEcQxsuux6EK8GwDxankPNFmZI_R77E6nsA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-40007190048168942542011-08-01T16:27:00.000-07:002011-08-02T06:54:28.462-07:00A Caveat to Delaware Brides<span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >To any of my fellow Delaware brides, before you consider doing business with Simon's Bridal in Dover, DE, please read this post.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Back in the Fall of 2010, I spent a few weekends with my Mom visiting the area bridal salons and checking out the wedding dresses they had to offer. We visited quite a few, but after having purchased both of my prom dresses at Simon’s Bridal in Dover, we both had our hearts set on revisiting the positive experience that we had encountered there about 8 years ago.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">My prom dress buying experience was a good one. Aunt Lark, my Mom, and (most importantly) my Dad all came along as my friend Jenna and I had a blast trying on a variety of dresses and modeling them. Having lost my dad in the years since then, I have fond memories of rolling my eyes as he offered his advice on dresses not only to Jenna and I, but also to the other girls trying on their prom dresses in the store. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">The whole experience was fun, light-hearted, and (best of all) will always remind me of my Dad. Since he can’t be a part of my bridal experience, I was looking for any way to incorporate his memory into this process. Revisiting Simon’s seemed like the perfect way to reminisce and bond with Mom, so we headed down to Dover.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Mom and I worked with a sales associate named Debbie and I tried on a variety of dresses including some really wild ones for fun at Debbie's suggestion.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS9LVulDFeLJ87_zGe4C6jGnMXRLusvmopw7EkbxlIjcy5QarOoCkcBn-nLGR7OLMihLBdXggU9hepxhP1YIFV3MNDsz4PtYdCrEII3q1LQMTwzYy9_6Aox97KWKUMhz9iJnmr20Q4Ws/s400/Puppies+and+Dresses+008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS9LVulDFeLJ87_zGe4C6jGnMXRLusvmopw7EkbxlIjcy5QarOoCkcBn-nLGR7OLMihLBdXggU9hepxhP1YIFV3MNDsz4PtYdCrEII3q1LQMTwzYy9_6Aox97KWKUMhz9iJnmr20Q4Ws/s400/Puppies+and+Dresses+008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Debbie spent time with us and became a part of the experience. She encouraged me as I pranced around like a 5-year-old in dress after dress and made me feel like I was the only client in the store that day. I found my dress (or more accurately, Mom did), and Debbie took photos of Mom and I as I welled up a bit.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaYLAmFk6hskb9y-rFmibTPRsX2MaAoUn4Tlagd4MbV2LPL0e2novrUprwomYMk994ubR-ftxc_EnBMaVkO8Kq6PbIb74AKJhjinVigagDhJTCIQH7nxiEH4O2cGGli_UffO7uKlXexA/s1600/Puppies+and+Dresses+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaYLAmFk6hskb9y-rFmibTPRsX2MaAoUn4Tlagd4MbV2LPL0e2novrUprwomYMk994ubR-ftxc_EnBMaVkO8Kq6PbIb74AKJhjinVigagDhJTCIQH7nxiEH4O2cGGli_UffO7uKlXexA/s400/Puppies+and+Dresses+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636249198617984130" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nDoYdHOqm7nBTVJgmNKnum65L4bPJme79j8R0D_EbAVVAIBpYedDpFqYi0FH6W8F7Qv23acLgZAShu3wQAw3owVx_T-6AW3hd-fxwZ2xOTZGHdhyk_o_La4cwtWvTRmQPf8TyPgjsck/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nDoYdHOqm7nBTVJgmNKnum65L4bPJme79j8R0D_EbAVVAIBpYedDpFqYi0FH6W8F7Qv23acLgZAShu3wQAw3owVx_T-6AW3hd-fxwZ2xOTZGHdhyk_o_La4cwtWvTRmQPf8TyPgjsck/s400/1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636249204550346434" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcm_j7W-WpP_BQ91Kr8zfFEgcKV33DgmajTEn_ZyX2I5injD5JSMB8RDXOKuoyo-KGxCISJklLUR4MGPcus1RmfhaidyKhcncRXWQGSz7YUAUlAb05KsOJnEkWM62tJqzE5l-SrTmxlU/s1600/4.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcm_j7W-WpP_BQ91Kr8zfFEgcKV33DgmajTEn_ZyX2I5injD5JSMB8RDXOKuoyo-KGxCISJklLUR4MGPcus1RmfhaidyKhcncRXWQGSz7YUAUlAb05KsOJnEkWM62tJqzE5l-SrTmxlU/s400/4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636249208508086738" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br />I didn’t put a deposit down on my dress that day, because I had a few other important women that I needed to get dress approval from. I planned to have at the very least Mom-Mom, Allyn, and Aunt Lark come down to Dover with me to see the dress. I had also planned to have the women of Alex’s family come along, but because Mary Pat was in Nebraska, she wasn’t able to come with us and it ended up just being my side of the family. Brittany brought Mom-Mom down to my house and Katie Kerr came along as well. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">The whole group of us went down to Simon’s Bridal and spent about an hour. Unfortunately, Debbie was at home with her kids that day (it was Halloween) so we weren’t able to tell her the good news that we were purchasing the dress. Although we had an appointment, we had to wait a bit, but we were all in such good spirits that it didn’t matter. I tried on my dress and got the approval of everyone and took lots of pictures of this momentous occasion. Mom-Mom cried, so I knew that the dress was perfect.</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Mx2iDWaYtX7QM9voyQkJeY8FYZ8_TJVY50tojTrDUdpkzfqCYtu5auU1Gj9QRwwaTX5SzJq915NesooBB3tew9TZz6E_va40OMN_PiVDWnwBZxV_9igPwP9xDZFnZTuo3nRpi4LjSFQ/s1600/CIMG1824.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Mx2iDWaYtX7QM9voyQkJeY8FYZ8_TJVY50tojTrDUdpkzfqCYtu5auU1Gj9QRwwaTX5SzJq915NesooBB3tew9TZz6E_va40OMN_PiVDWnwBZxV_9igPwP9xDZFnZTuo3nRpi4LjSFQ/s400/CIMG1824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636039927912454802" border="0" /></a></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpfIXWL75x5zte8CZ4kRHadXFo-d1Et5u99wkEsoWNN7uTGnvFI6PJrEa-y-7jBh6dECf5Gj8f0pntjbaYF6VnLGjQZwfPjsJqrAhI1tQIdncK0qvKNgXDcnVf_02oSMMpw15EQG1BCk/s1600/CIMG1829.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpfIXWL75x5zte8CZ4kRHadXFo-d1Et5u99wkEsoWNN7uTGnvFI6PJrEa-y-7jBh6dECf5Gj8f0pntjbaYF6VnLGjQZwfPjsJqrAhI1tQIdncK0qvKNgXDcnVf_02oSMMpw15EQG1BCk/s400/CIMG1829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636039926255583874" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9YvLQvlJGOQwOj77qjsqyDb_Bli4uofTFTI38ffJy9fVqHRrh7fTkbJLRVIwlvg5a5Blk1j7Wi5v5YyJskjvD1TKG632lNuFOwu_s9uoyD3wNT4JKeIM20cN994eRWzF8fVPo4-LW7I/s1600/CIMG1830.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9YvLQvlJGOQwOj77qjsqyDb_Bli4uofTFTI38ffJy9fVqHRrh7fTkbJLRVIwlvg5a5Blk1j7Wi5v5YyJskjvD1TKG632lNuFOwu_s9uoyD3wNT4JKeIM20cN994eRWzF8fVPo4-LW7I/s400/CIMG1830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636039921909543282" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pAw1CFAcl3G8ozHS0HfmE8LBbjJM2UfpDE6I0jwm1YL4JHEErB3nwE0SzezangxsV7et5yCV3La8-GH2rS61bm5CaUzGN9N8OBUd3KA5666VGHxZ2rTC3tIRGg-sApECYzPp2T3720o/s1600/CIMG1833.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pAw1CFAcl3G8ozHS0HfmE8LBbjJM2UfpDE6I0jwm1YL4JHEErB3nwE0SzezangxsV7et5yCV3La8-GH2rS61bm5CaUzGN9N8OBUd3KA5666VGHxZ2rTC3tIRGg-sApECYzPp2T3720o/s400/CIMG1833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636039916489412258" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br />After showing everyone, Mom and I were ready to put down a deposit. We let the woman at the desk know, and she sent a seamstress in to take my measurements. Marie came to the dressing room and let me know based on her measurements that I was somewhere between a 4 and a 6 and that I could make a decision on which size I would like.<br /><br /><br />Based on prior experience, I asked for a 6. I figured it was easier to take a dress in than let a dress out. Plus I knew that my prom dress wasn’t a 4, so I was sure now that I have curves, the 6 was most certainly the better choice.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Marie was very sweet and congratulated me on finding my dress. She let me know that it would be in about 3-4 months and that they would call me to let me know when it was in so that I could come down, see it in person, and try it on. I was elated. We went to McGlynn’s afterward and toasted, feeling giddy.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqvZvFkfwJEsjrBbJ7y9AzuGDyKnPRJfD156DEXcLhxEQxnaG-PzPlS0fg3EA-CcXoJtDYtnaHjblwskEtjthTYf7vbld7ARK6vExZbFVkf6lyPxOsRaZt0qfPFud0xm_cXv6vopfOPs/s1600/CIMG1835.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqvZvFkfwJEsjrBbJ7y9AzuGDyKnPRJfD156DEXcLhxEQxnaG-PzPlS0fg3EA-CcXoJtDYtnaHjblwskEtjthTYf7vbld7ARK6vExZbFVkf6lyPxOsRaZt0qfPFud0xm_cXv6vopfOPs/s400/CIMG1835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636039913258655762" border="0" /></a></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Now, this is where the trouble starts. In December, my maid of honor, Jenna, was in town and I was thrilled at the prospect of sharing my dress with her. We had spent some time down at the beach outlet shopping, so Dover was on the way home. I figured this was the perfect chance to stop by Simon’s and show her the sample dress! </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I called Simon’s to find out how late they were open that evening to see if we could make it in time. Bert, the lady who is often at the desk, answered and let us know that they were open until 6pm that evening. I was thrilled because that gave us just enough time to get there and see the dress – maybe even try it on so Jenna could see!</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">We arrived at 5:25pm. I assumed this was plenty of time to take a look at the dress and maybe even try it on. I walked into the shop, beaming from ear-to-ear, ready to share my dress with my best friend and now maid of honor who had shared the prom dress shopping experience with me years before. When I encountered Bert at the desk, she seemed unhappy to see us.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I explained that I had put a deposit on a dress and that my maid of honor was here from out of town and I was hoping to show her the dress in person. I mentioned that I hoped to try on the sample to show her the dress on me if that was possible. Bert seemed annoyed by our presence and insisted that no one was here to help us and that I didn’t have enough time to try the dress on. Disappointed and a little put off by Bert’s sour mood, Jenna and I tried to make the best of the visit, taking a picture of Jenna with the dress and texting it to her mom in Florida.</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDyscX3a8GoJP_yIYX-aV7IjGJ-MYwhWF4FRdZ27uJhllCkWuxv_P9424C3_py4S2-xuGHu5F0ob9Wla80ezzZRqXDtv9aersAgnJmu-MMQux094O7ZIS7HaKaSikKEIkROYXpah8huM/s1600/IMG957159.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDyscX3a8GoJP_yIYX-aV7IjGJ-MYwhWF4FRdZ27uJhllCkWuxv_P9424C3_py4S2-xuGHu5F0ob9Wla80ezzZRqXDtv9aersAgnJmu-MMQux094O7ZIS7HaKaSikKEIkROYXpah8huM/s400/IMG957159.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636041279976683330" border="0" /></a></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">At the beginning of April, a full 5 months after putting down the deposit, I realized that my dress should most certainly have been in based on Marie’s estimate back in October. Around mid-April after still not having heard from Simon’s Bridal, I called to find out what was going on. I spoke with Bert again.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">She let me know that the dress had been in for “a while.” I told her that no one had called me, and asked when I could make an appointment to come down to see the dress. She said (somewhat abruptly) that it was far too soon for a dress fitting and that they wait until about 2 months until the wedding to do the first fitting. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I told her I realized it was too early for a fitting, but if it was possible, I’d love to be able to visit my dress and perhaps try it on. She said that Simon’s didn’t schedule appointments for that and proceeded to schedule my fitting for mid-July. I was disappointed, and even posted on Facebook lamenting that I was unable to see my dress in person until July.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Although a little disheartened with my two interactions with Bert, I assumed that this was just one person having a bad day and awaited my fitting in July with great excitement. On Saturday, July 9, Mom and I went down to Dover after having breakfast together to try on my dress for the first time. July was extremely stressful for me with wedding planning, a full workload, and preparing to fly to California to be in my cousin Robin’s wedding, so I was thrilled to be able to relive the day in October where I felt like a princess in my dress and let some of the stress melt away for a few moments.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">We got to Simon’s about 20 minutes early for our appointment and sat down to wait our turn. When Tommi, a salesperson, realized we were waiting, she offered to pull my dress and put me n a dressing room while we waited for a seamstress to be available for my first fitting. Tommi brought in the garment bag with my dress and told me to let her know if we needed any help. I was so excited! </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">We closed the dressing room door, I got undressed, and Mom and I unzipped the garment bag. We were prepared to be awestruck at the beautiful dress in the bag and were a little disappointed to see that there were lots of loose threads and unfinished edges. Assuming that the seamstress would take care of these minor imperfections, we put our concerns aside and prepared to put on MY dress for the first time. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Mom took it off the hanger and put her hand through the center so I could “dive” in as Debbie had shown is back in the fall. Mom pulled the dress over my head and began to pull the skirt into place. I stopped her as I realized I was caught up. I figured the skirts underneath were just bunched up and asked her to get underneath to straighten them. Unfortunately, that didn’t help.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I was standing there with the bustline of my wedding dress at my chin, unable to pull it beyond my hips. Mom asked what size I had ordered and I said “a 6”. She checked the tag and let me know that this was a 4. Since it was now past the time I was scheduled to have my appointment, I asked Mom if she could go out and see if she could find someone to help us out.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I stayed in the dressing room, with my arms crossed over my head like a runner trying to catch my breath, trying not to panic, or cry, or get anything on the dress. My mom returned looking unhappy and reported that when she had asked Bert if anyone was available to help us and let her know that we had a bit of a problem, Bert retorted that we were early for our appointment and would have to wait our turn. Someone would be with us when they were available.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Annoyed with Bert yet again, my mom helped me out of the dress. After the dress was off, I ended up half sitting, half kneeling uncomfortably in my longline bra, waiting. Because it was warm in the dressing room, we ended up cracking the door to wait for the seamstress to be available.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Seeing the door open, Tommi peeked her head in to see how it was going. After seeing my face and the fact that I wasn't dressed, she stepped into the dressing room, obviously concerned, and closed the door behind her, asking what was wrong. When I explained that my dress was too small, she assured me that it would be okay and said she would be right back.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Moments later, Tommi reentered the dressing room with Lorelei, a seamstress. Lorelei looked equally concerned and asked if she could help me back into the dress and take a look.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">She helped me into the dress and got under to pull the skirts down as my Mom had done. In the meantime, Tommi left to go get the size chart for 2010 Enzoani gowns. As Tommi returned, Lorelei agreed that this dress most certainly did not fit me. After taking a look at my measurements versus the size chart, she decided to re-measure me.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">After taking the dress off for a second time, Lorelei took my measurements. She asked if I had gained any weight in the past few months and I said that I hadn’t – and if I had, it wasn’t nearly enough to make me an entire size larger, because I hadn’t noticed any change in the fit of my clothes. According to Lorelei’s assessment, it seemed that Marie had measured my hips much lower than she should have and that her measurements indicated that I should have been a size 8 in Enzoani gowns. Considering that the gown was fitted at the hip, this was a significant difference.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Lorelei suggested that she take out the seams and make them as wide as possible. Although I was hesitant about this solution because letting out a 4 doesn't equal an 8 in my mind, Lorelei assured me it would work. Tommi seconded her opinion, assuring me that if any seamstress could pull it off, Lorelei could. I agreed to come back and try on the altered dress in two weeks.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">After coming up with a plan with Lorelei, I returned to the front desk and Tommi began scheduling my appointment for the 21st. Bert overheard that I was coming back for “Dress Fitting: Take 2” as I jokingly called it. She abrasively asked, “Well why didn’t the dress fit?” I wanted to retort, “Well, that’s what I’d like to know!,” but figured that wouldn’t do me any good. I finished making my appointment and left.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Extremely nervous, I returned to Simon’s Bridal on Thursday, July 21. Jessica greeted me warmly as soon as I entered, putting me at ease, and showed me to a dressing room. She pulled my dress and told me to let her know if Mom and I needed any help.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Waiting for Lorelei to be free, Mom and I hung out with the dressing room door open. Paula, noticing that I wasn’t in my dress, offered to help me. I agreed, and she put her arms through the dress, and I dove in. Unfortunately, as I feared, the dress got stuck at my hips.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Paula got underneath the dress and pulled the skirts straight, hoping to make it work. After seeing that it was still too small, she helped me back out of it. Paula asked why I hadn’t come down sooner to try on the dress when it originally came in back in the winter. When I told her about my conversation with Bert and let her know that I was told that I wasn’t supposed to come until July, she apologized for the miscommunication — alluding to the fact this whole situation could have been avoided if I was allowed to come try the dress on earlier. She went to tell Lorelei that we were still in bad shape.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Lorelei quickly finished up with the client she was working with, and came over. She had me put the dress back on. I told her that I had taken a look at her work and was impressed with how nice the stitching was and jokingly apologized for my “child-bearing hips” trying to lighten the mood. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">She and Paula told me that the would most certainly rush order me a dress and have someone call me first thing tomorrow during business hours the next day to let me know when it would be in. I mentioned that I was nervous about ordering the correct size since I was very close to a size 8 and asked if I should order a 10 just to be sure that I have enough room for alterations. I suggested that trying on the sample (a size 10) might be a good idea.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Lorelai agreed and Paula pulled the dress from the back room. The two slid the dress over my head and I was happy to see that the ten was still too big on me, solidifying that a 10 would be a good choice to order. Lorelei mentioned that if worse came to worse, at least they could alter the size 10 sample and use it as my wedding dress. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I looked at the dress and agreed that that was a possibility, but was simultaneously noticing the missing beads, rips, and perspiration stains on the dress. At that point, I assumed that a rush could be ordered and I wouldn’t have to worry about wearing the well-worn sample, and that they were just trying to make me feel better by providing more ideas and solutions.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Paula commented that she was proud of me for being so level-headed and both she and Lorelei agreed that they would have both been in tears if they had been in the same situation. Before leaving, I made sure that they had my correct phone number at the desk, and left for the evening, completely distraught but hopeful for my phone call the next day.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">At work the next day, I was tightly wound, waiting for the phone call from Simon’s Bridal. I looked up the open time of Enzoani in California. They began their workday at 8am PST, which is 11am EST, so I made myself wait until noon until calling Simon’s to see if they had called yet. At 12:15pm, I called Simon’s and spoke with Jessica. She informed me that Janet, the owner, was planning on calling Enzoani shortly. I asked that Janet call me as soon as possible after her phone call, and Jessica assured me that that would happen.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I opted not to eat lunch because my stomach was in knots and I didn’t want to risk missing Janet’s call, so I answered on the first ring when she called back a full hour later. Janet let me know that Enzoani’s rush order time was ten weeks, getting my dress here in mid-October. I said obviously this wouldn’t work. Janet agreed and then offered me the sample dress at 30% off of the ticket price — an additional $250 over what we had already put out.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">At this point, I was in shock. Complete and utter shock. I was just told that I have no wedding dress a little over 6 weeks before my wedding.<br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">The FACT that this woman was offering me a shoddy, pit-stained sample dress that dozens of women have tried on at 30% off as if it were priceless gold was beyond infuriating. She didn’t offer to dry clean or alter the dress for free. And at 30% off, they were asking me to put out an additional $250+ over what I had already put out not including alterations and cleaning. I began to cry for the first time during the entire ordeal and told her that I would get back to them when I could.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">My coworker Doug commiserated with my ordeal, saying that his wife was equally insulted by Simon’s Bridal back when they got married. Apparently, his wife, one of the nicest women I have ever met, went to Simon’s Bridal to find her wedding dress and was told rather abruptly by the person working the desk that there was absolutely nothing there in her size. Although she was a plus-sized bride and was aware that all shops might not cater to her needs, my coworker’s wife was appalled to be discriminated against so blatantly. I commiserated, as my recent phone call left me feeling equally crappy about my situation with Simon’s Bridal.<br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Upon hearing my dilemma, another coworker suggested I should visit Bridal Boutique Ltd. in Milford. She had had a similar negative experience with Simon’s and found her dress at Bridal Boutique, Ltd. I decided to try it out that weekend, hoping to find my dress and be able to stop into Simon’s Bridal and ask for my money back after finding an alternate dress.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">After hearing about my meltdown at work, my Mom was happy to hear that I hadn’t given up hope. She met me at my house and we went to Milford together. I wasn’t expecting too much -- I was just hoping to find something suitable to be married in a mere 6 weeks before my wedding.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">After stepping into Bridal Boutique, Ltd. I immediately felt better. Pat, the owner, greeted me and listened to my war story. She helped me pick out a few dresses and set me up with a dressing room. After walking around for a few minutes, there were a few noticeable differences between this boutique and Simon’s Bridal. First, this place was well-lit and cheery as opposed to the dimly lit, musty Simon's. The staff was interested in me and offered helpful suggestions as I walked through the store. I was immediately attended to and checked in on frequently. When I stepped in front of the mirror in my first dress and looked a bit flushed from the effort of getting into it, Marcia went to the back and grabbed bottles of water for both my Mom and I.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">After trying on about half a dozen dresses at this place, being fussed over, and realizing that this is what the experience should be like, I began to actually feel like a bride for the first time. This is not to say that there were not lovely people at Simon’s. Debbie, Lorelei, Tommi, Paula, and Jessica were always helpful and attentive, but at this store, it was obvious that professional customer service extended all the way to management, which makes a big difference. I met and was greeted by Pat, the owner, the moment I stepped in the door at Bridal Boutique.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">The owner of Simon's, Janet, and I had never spoken before our phone call where she let me know that they would not be able to get me a dress. At this point, I still had never seen her in person despite the fact that I had been in there store over a dozen times.<br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Although I hoped for it, I didn’t actually expect to find a dress that I loved as much as the first dress. After trying on just a few samples at Bridal Boutique, I was pretty excited to find something that exceeded my expectations and I found myself welling up. A little because of the stress of the previous weeks of uncertainty, but mostly because I had found a dress that was even more gorgeous than the original Enzoani.<br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">And the best part of this dress (besides the fact that I feel gorgeous in it)? It’s about HALF the price of my original dress! I commented to Marcia that it was very affordable. She said was confused at my surprise and told me that that should be the price of most dresses in this area because bridal salons were supposed to adhere to the MSRP set by the dress designer.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I found this interesting because of the price that I was supposed to pay for my original dress at Simon’s Bridal. I noted the price of the new dress I picked out (realizing that it and a few others I had tried on were brands carried at Simon’s Bridal) and wrote it and a few others down to check out the discrepancy when we returned to get our money refunded.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">With this new suspicion in mind, I found out another interesting tidbit from another young lady who was also there trying on wedding dresses. She overheard my Simon’s Bridal horror story and went ahead and topped it with her own. I’m not sure if I have the details correct, because I only spoke with her for a few minutes, but here’s what I remember. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Simon’s ordered the wrong dress for her. When it came in, first they tried to tell her that it was the correct dress. After finally conceding that they had made a mistake, they promised to reorder the correct dress. Although she can’t prove it, this bride returned for her fitting and is pretty sure that Simon’s tried to sell her the sample of her original dress as new. Infuriated, she had her money refunded, not only for her own dress, but also for all of the members of her bridal party. She said that it took some doing, but don’t let them tell you that they don’t give refunds. They do.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Having chosen a new dress that I was delighted with, I was ready to go back to Simon’s Bridal and get my own refund. I assumed since they had made several mistakes and after hearing that story, they would have no problem with refunding my money.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">When we returned to Simon’s Bridal, Bert was especially polite and referred to me as “Ms. Rizzuto” before disappearing behind the scenes to let Janet know that we were here to see her. Upon returning, she let us know that Janet was at lunch and I told her that I didn’t mind waiting.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Although she was only in the break room and not out at lunch, Janet did not decide to cut her lunch short to address a dissatisfied customer and made us wait a full 20 minutes. I was beginning to get agitated because I knew that she was just a few feet away and hadn’t felt the need to address us in the 25 minutes since we had arrived.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Although I was unhappy to be made to wait, the 20 minutes did give me a chance to take a look at some of the dresses I had tried on earlier in the day at Bridal Boutique and compare prices to Simon’s stock. My suspicions were confirmed – it appears that Simon’s Bridal consistently marks their dresses at twice the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Later, upon returning home, I found online that this is often grounds for dressmakers to pull their contracts with bridal salons, and I feel that it couldn’t hurt to let a few of the designers that Simon’s carries know what they are doing. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">After realizing the discrepancy between MSRP and the exorbitant rates Simon's was charging, I realized that the deposit I had paid on the original Enzoani dress was probably enough to cover the entire cost of the proper MSRP of my dress. Because of this, I was even more pissed off that they had offered me the soiled, stained, ripped sample dress at 30% off and acted like it was a deal. They could have offered the sample dress with alterations and cleaning for no additional cost, sold my size 4 dress at their version of a reduced cost, and still made more than their share of profit. And, I wouldn’t have never been the wiser. Unfortunately customer service doesn’t seem to be a strong point for this store.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">When Janet finally emerged, she came to address us in the middle of the showroom floor right in front of the counter. Now doubly annoyed at being made to wait and discovering that their prices were a rip off, I found myself facing her in the middle of about a dozen other customers. I was waiting to be escorted either to an office or perhaps even to the break room where she had been spending her lunch for some privacy, but it quickly became apparent that Janet was happy to hear our grievances with other customers standing around. Another bold choice as far as customer service is concerned.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I told her that I would like to have my deposit back and that I had made other arrangements, so I would no longer be needing their services. I mentioned that we had come here because of a positive experience with prom dress shopping and were extremely disappointed in how they had handled this issue. If they had practiced better customer service, I would have been happy to continue to recommend her store, but as of now I couldn’t do that.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">To her credit, Janet did at least apologize and after trying to talk me into ordering something with Simon’s Bridal, she did give us our money back.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Unfortunately, I believe that Simon’s Bridal gets away with price markups and poor customer service because they are one of the only (if not the only) bridal salon in Dover. Thanks to the wonderful ladies at Bridal Boutique, Ltd. I now know how a bride should be treated. Not only have Pat and Marcia been extremely helpful through the whole process but I have also been impressed with the speed at which my situation was remedied. I put a deposit on my dress on Saturday, received a call on Monday concerning more details from the dress designer and made the decision to purchase off the rack, was fitted on that Tuesday, and have a second fitting on August 20th. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">In one weekend, I was shown that customer service isn’t dead and that there is something better out there.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:85%;">I have a brand new dress that I love — instead of a pit-stained sample dress that dozens of brides have been in and out of — and best of all, I was treated like I am worth something. For any bride in the Dover area, I suggest driving the extra 30 minutes down to Milford and saving yourself a lot of money and hassle and also see what a great dress buying experience is all about.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:85%;">I promise, you won’t be disappointed.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-42050942061206502592011-06-16T23:41:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:32:42.167-07:00Bridal Shower<span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >So it appears I’ve been neglecting my blog with all of the bridal whatnot going on. Over the weekend we continued with the wedding themed festivities with a bridal shower hosted by my Momma.<br /></span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7GftrcwkM1fchiNSD2kAmw1q7Bv-tGWurzToAVtUII06QlWZSWfJAV8WHTP9sCLMH5E-NL1rwE0_vbmnIfdNL07sod057-ivZd6772oA5E01p3rTfXYMIUq-lKUu0ya8gry7Lo8RbDw/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7GftrcwkM1fchiNSD2kAmw1q7Bv-tGWurzToAVtUII06QlWZSWfJAV8WHTP9sCLMH5E-NL1rwE0_vbmnIfdNL07sod057-ivZd6772oA5E01p3rTfXYMIUq-lKUu0ya8gry7Lo8RbDw/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269612852633650" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">This, of course, meant that all of my favorites came into town sans Chrissy and Robin. Chrissy was too busy being a budding off-broadway star in opening weekend of the ATA production of “The Eumenides”, which is excusable. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEkHjPJpElm4mw-PUYrkP1nfPblcEiVLk2QfrAD2L5JeN3Pu-pIFv9uJbPyxbqFXbpfBsTGwvdgdzMeD62uFtH4srIBjVl4Sz9ZjVmjK2GPjofb_EAGluuIPss4eyBdR8UcyBwcwJYoE/s1600/1.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEkHjPJpElm4mw-PUYrkP1nfPblcEiVLk2QfrAD2L5JeN3Pu-pIFv9uJbPyxbqFXbpfBsTGwvdgdzMeD62uFtH4srIBjVl4Sz9ZjVmjK2GPjofb_EAGluuIPss4eyBdR8UcyBwcwJYoE/s400/1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619261931451953458" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">And Robin gets a free pass since she’s dealing with her own bridal stuff on the other side of the country.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UbFwTFJTHGpfvLiu1oRFhEvUCPpW_iSG7W7_PNQPeeeTSFKAlpfzgUPgAhxA_J248sogpUdtt05kgcht9jFEqnh9ndG3fstFifNC9XwxNrgxjYq2v9IQLdqo1kwScMkr7MYJ8I2YrD0/s1600/robinexcuse.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UbFwTFJTHGpfvLiu1oRFhEvUCPpW_iSG7W7_PNQPeeeTSFKAlpfzgUPgAhxA_J248sogpUdtt05kgcht9jFEqnh9ndG3fstFifNC9XwxNrgxjYq2v9IQLdqo1kwScMkr7MYJ8I2YrD0/s400/robinexcuse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619273800518094706" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I did, however, manage to get one long distance bridesmaid in for the shower all the way from sunny Florida.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rhyphenhyphenyv2-1YIE7PgPyRob66zM09ssDaoArZ8Yc5cjrmeyZvwbNCJpFAqUhuIC9UJAtKaNzMatkg41tn5Kipi1X2dDvPS3n6Sq3dEcDly-OlO_N6QdQPkC8nfEep7bVuQ4nLzORx1Zs33U/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rhyphenhyphenyv2-1YIE7PgPyRob66zM09ssDaoArZ8Yc5cjrmeyZvwbNCJpFAqUhuIC9UJAtKaNzMatkg41tn5Kipi1X2dDvPS3n6Sq3dEcDly-OlO_N6QdQPkC8nfEep7bVuQ4nLzORx1Zs33U/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269398528201026" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">One from across the street even though she had worked a twelve hour shift and was running on one hour of sleep.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xYsZGtbQyPeEvOZhw0jwKYFFgy3z6R6iPugOpEbpLD_zu407KgmA289UmY3Ulzy-XzLAOKPombLBDgHaH5i06HHsT1AaAvnFMRUM-53aDbjbk83MWRiB39QK9gFd6J6900pUa59uT1Y/s1600/nakhole.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xYsZGtbQyPeEvOZhw0jwKYFFgy3z6R6iPugOpEbpLD_zu407KgmA289UmY3Ulzy-XzLAOKPombLBDgHaH5i06HHsT1AaAvnFMRUM-53aDbjbk83MWRiB39QK9gFd6J6900pUa59uT1Y/s400/nakhole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619270537803069682" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">One in a pretty red dress.</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjg9H55QV8qool4M9Hpf9crnM9viV4yUDdgDI8TD-R7PPn48ZzU0bc_rnePveKHxfDWn9Y7-Pn2haMfwqc1s-BNbbKWstbzPXVrmfrm0JlCn51Jw0af2AF0ixZA1_qBFEWmlFyxlBUEk/s1600/kate.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjg9H55QV8qool4M9Hpf9crnM9viV4yUDdgDI8TD-R7PPn48ZzU0bc_rnePveKHxfDWn9Y7-Pn2haMfwqc1s-BNbbKWstbzPXVrmfrm0JlCn51Jw0af2AF0ixZA1_qBFEWmlFyxlBUEk/s400/kate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619271286845920898" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">And two junior bridesmaids with fresh, beach-ready tans now that elementary school is out for the summer.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkfePvdjEDpvALhtKUBUNbZs0E84E7SbDuCFWjiYqfgmDgGfPzM9r1_4GKJk-c14OEEsQvU2Gx6yUgt4jwmi8_7ZZSyjMYK-tLord18jOB1hVfUhmr6ISi5a4PZOy2zhG2ilzrSV-cuk/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkfePvdjEDpvALhtKUBUNbZs0E84E7SbDuCFWjiYqfgmDgGfPzM9r1_4GKJk-c14OEEsQvU2Gx6yUgt4jwmi8_7ZZSyjMYK-tLord18jOB1hVfUhmr6ISi5a4PZOy2zhG2ilzrSV-cuk/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269399099027986" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">And of course lots of other lovely ladies from every aspect of my life.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHjHYTHx5KGTTyelo_E4lo4DHiUBPjhhO0-xl5C9j-E3Enlx8Sz7JPKACSuEw6Mlc5vMa9Er_4_j9cPAV8kuCCQUoYkNXFtsIveaM9KPCGmpRYs2PgB9X5FyywLbf7Lb6cRLpNI8oVDY/s1600/robin.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_NW-bk1volPRNrpwQRWVS4gL1HfCK8X1O1_bYfEtgkrkMv3IA_wSSBQEySVdncNEWmhyphenhyphenCR5zzTjqeNtjLs_x_6HNxwSu7muYi1OeyYEHqhW9j75RRuIVdlfFsR5csFOvJMgxrJou7OY/s1600/red+flats.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-YhoV6kayb9ur5EpQGdp-mc8b5YX7PJqbxdf3YIz8Q6YykNpWSlVZprHMgomZ6-Nitc78tTnvsJOsx8axXiSvjOTk8xPyfKtczdjXh2H0f9Vcd5cO0CQ94n4IbqEeTSLjtyfq9Q8sts/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-YhoV6kayb9ur5EpQGdp-mc8b5YX7PJqbxdf3YIz8Q6YykNpWSlVZprHMgomZ6-Nitc78tTnvsJOsx8axXiSvjOTk8xPyfKtczdjXh2H0f9Vcd5cO0CQ94n4IbqEeTSLjtyfq9Q8sts/s400/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264411674829058" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIgrc84OFETQVSZGuVn7UxaL45GekdVO4igapI6vEENKcqzFgO6f8cgLOIGVwjMAHsNfzEZJoUgGl5AUYUzloVFgzCpbkSll_q90V8rFiYxElS8u1OUOBmPDQpcwk7qdoLYjQDb4CwrM/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIgrc84OFETQVSZGuVn7UxaL45GekdVO4igapI6vEENKcqzFgO6f8cgLOIGVwjMAHsNfzEZJoUgGl5AUYUzloVFgzCpbkSll_q90V8rFiYxElS8u1OUOBmPDQpcwk7qdoLYjQDb4CwrM/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269618511400258" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgox9cvR49ZDmvkvGoqfS4F-3WacLdFL-x-LaKiZqz3gLYrjlT9kiAhfpzwon6arwbqXa8SsywcN8TaMdSbA9kwiUfWhjKQcnP_h-gsl0D0SThEvV56w-8IzZPsiCXXQpdInyjlviYZa5Y/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgox9cvR49ZDmvkvGoqfS4F-3WacLdFL-x-LaKiZqz3gLYrjlT9kiAhfpzwon6arwbqXa8SsywcN8TaMdSbA9kwiUfWhjKQcnP_h-gsl0D0SThEvV56w-8IzZPsiCXXQpdInyjlviYZa5Y/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269605190793234" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8-wmLtbSMKyOKmqvj3pTlARnrjir9EMKbOJIHmpgaJlbs5XMYT1OE4SKKs1EkErlEJ4e32udJ6DC_rNfEzXw_sRpsitbVH6H8gcbbQBOrweh8ObZHuvp6kLj1yrsTtUP-m_T_2X025g/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8-wmLtbSMKyOKmqvj3pTlARnrjir9EMKbOJIHmpgaJlbs5XMYT1OE4SKKs1EkErlEJ4e32udJ6DC_rNfEzXw_sRpsitbVH6H8gcbbQBOrweh8ObZHuvp6kLj1yrsTtUP-m_T_2X025g/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269411017703394" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCltbpyNwlz3mB6KTj-Xx-f2f2UubOwxpe9Q73CjlvaujIp2LpNvJJZeH610nh6TU9y-va6RM0AHfYqQy4zv9afGROnPi89ogog_pzDqPh9qws8bCtgPFtivrHZAZWEEvPukgJe7a30PI/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCltbpyNwlz3mB6KTj-Xx-f2f2UubOwxpe9Q73CjlvaujIp2LpNvJJZeH610nh6TU9y-va6RM0AHfYqQy4zv9afGROnPi89ogog_pzDqPh9qws8bCtgPFtivrHZAZWEEvPukgJe7a30PI/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269404262895378" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokBhSaI3wQZmnJKXUaCG0t2YHl_a4AzmC1T8SC1IE8pMK8RuoxiV7QqRreSjSwUvF_ai3jOl6uVTVxPkS_MyqRhw27BrsR-7Qte4reApJ6mOZmcKNw0xd3vo3O2X1Y56kxhfuOEoErWE/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokBhSaI3wQZmnJKXUaCG0t2YHl_a4AzmC1T8SC1IE8pMK8RuoxiV7QqRreSjSwUvF_ai3jOl6uVTVxPkS_MyqRhw27BrsR-7Qte4reApJ6mOZmcKNw0xd3vo3O2X1Y56kxhfuOEoErWE/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269395301331906" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pE2B-EJPuE6baFnJ17om35H6o8p0QxcU_KP0Zo3oUa600TxEFrNpxpqa8G1SNSqt6dn8_3MxW1Qmjm_mX5-bLw0DavohyU16OM5JACF-UW1v5jKGCex3NEX-IlkB1e8HbNUQnLlaLN8/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pE2B-EJPuE6baFnJ17om35H6o8p0QxcU_KP0Zo3oUa600TxEFrNpxpqa8G1SNSqt6dn8_3MxW1Qmjm_mX5-bLw0DavohyU16OM5JACF-UW1v5jKGCex3NEX-IlkB1e8HbNUQnLlaLN8/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264583282611442" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjq3pePl7Q2Uvs3tCBOVBRI_-80P4d5U-ZyObq5wgtWEskxU-8SmRRbn-Ob5UaeQeRL1Lo9nPL5vKPoQ2KbbAYZ80sep8Mfxn8dRhROzYpuDQRLNtyA4Qfc0ARRHIVng1HwsDoVxUERA/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjq3pePl7Q2Uvs3tCBOVBRI_-80P4d5U-ZyObq5wgtWEskxU-8SmRRbn-Ob5UaeQeRL1Lo9nPL5vKPoQ2KbbAYZ80sep8Mfxn8dRhROzYpuDQRLNtyA4Qfc0ARRHIVng1HwsDoVxUERA/s400/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264581599290114" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVggW_F59VP3Q7AqhbkIc61-dloVa9AjwdJg6dxE336pNEBm6_GTd2qF7gGarUyBcBnz5F_0XgxiX8Mf0rObbzye3t7dQzjawVMK4TyuxqWaVVQzZqTQ7QO6YALDfFp5_pwGy5b1tiNw/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVggW_F59VP3Q7AqhbkIc61-dloVa9AjwdJg6dxE336pNEBm6_GTd2qF7gGarUyBcBnz5F_0XgxiX8Mf0rObbzye3t7dQzjawVMK4TyuxqWaVVQzZqTQ7QO6YALDfFp5_pwGy5b1tiNw/s400/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264579518027346" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1kGU2af5hW0p8LvFnl4afLi3sHtJCna5xp9VQfJ0EVkROsZlTkh489JZbeasXpJ9wnc8eyXOy9zewCPGHj9ewGxKwekz5ukfs9IHp-Msh38QKWrfRvL1VEfRLT60nGnUwwMhizIvPLI/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1kGU2af5hW0p8LvFnl4afLi3sHtJCna5xp9VQfJ0EVkROsZlTkh489JZbeasXpJ9wnc8eyXOy9zewCPGHj9ewGxKwekz5ukfs9IHp-Msh38QKWrfRvL1VEfRLT60nGnUwwMhizIvPLI/s400/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264568588907298" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I got lots of lovely presents. But my favorite was a silly one from Nicole.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_NW-bk1volPRNrpwQRWVS4gL1HfCK8X1O1_bYfEtgkrkMv3IA_wSSBQEySVdncNEWmhyphenhyphenCR5zzTjqeNtjLs_x_6HNxwSu7muYi1OeyYEHqhW9j75RRuIVdlfFsR5csFOvJMgxrJou7OY/s1600/red+flats.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_NW-bk1volPRNrpwQRWVS4gL1HfCK8X1O1_bYfEtgkrkMv3IA_wSSBQEySVdncNEWmhyphenhyphenCR5zzTjqeNtjLs_x_6HNxwSu7muYi1OeyYEHqhW9j75RRuIVdlfFsR5csFOvJMgxrJou7OY/s400/red+flats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269757355712258" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Back in 2006, Nak and I were shopping for a Christmas present for my then boyfriend, James. We were at Best Buy after having been to 5 different stores looking for some stupid Nintendo DS game. We were hanging out in the video game section looking for this game and this guy who was working there came over and was trying to help us. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Nak had on her red shoes that day and the ongoing joke for the last 4 years has been that those were the reason Alex (the Best Buy employee) came over to help us - he was attracted to her ruby red flats. Even though she was unable to help me find that stupid video game, Nicole did attract my future husband. So for my shower, she wrapped up those shoes and gave them to me. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Being me, I of course cried like a baby at this as you can see in the following picture.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GPc07h3ixkD2l8I6fVGlppv_arIRmKeRIpY_wPUDbBk1SMIduIfcSyrhQQRBVb_avFIYNktskrSTGbuxxiWT7lnwmGXpMGUUTP_5ryno-IA0GLk6VV2DR6XsQZ61QYVKoRZDlJKXGRA/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GPc07h3ixkD2l8I6fVGlppv_arIRmKeRIpY_wPUDbBk1SMIduIfcSyrhQQRBVb_avFIYNktskrSTGbuxxiWT7lnwmGXpMGUUTP_5ryno-IA0GLk6VV2DR6XsQZ61QYVKoRZDlJKXGRA/s400/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264414960199874" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another sentimental gift was one from my Mom. My dad collected 50-cent pieces (and all sorts of other coins for that matter) so she picked out one that has a 1951 date on it, my dad’s birth year, and saved it for me for the shower. She also took my original baptismal bonnet which was made from a handkerchief, cleaned it up, and tied it with a ribbon with the 50-cent piece inside. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Now I have not only a meaningful handkerchief but also a memento of my dad for in my purse on my wedding day. All of this was attached to a huge box, so of course I was crying before I even go to opening her gift – a beautiful “mother-daughter” lamp.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OHfPoTbNh7VPgBP8-1JlSQifLddA8YgI42CW1SnMagclDlLX1eegEFBRNb6xCntZNbeV1w0E9Jknp288P7ETJFMQEOs8SUFNdukpuxn1vxZ34cTJO8HfJfLERaEqeNuWO1WJ3es22TA/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OHfPoTbNh7VPgBP8-1JlSQifLddA8YgI42CW1SnMagclDlLX1eegEFBRNb6xCntZNbeV1w0E9Jknp288P7ETJFMQEOs8SUFNdukpuxn1vxZ34cTJO8HfJfLERaEqeNuWO1WJ3es22TA/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269608911570674" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another great, creative present came from Aunt Allyn…a sixpence for my shoe! A sixpence worn in the left shoe on your wedding day is supposed to bring good luck and financial security to the marriage. Apparently the “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” poem sometimes includes another line, “and a sixpence in her shoe!”<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweghT8q-hk-yge8wPw_cu1cwcq_lDkhyphenhyphenLxXFe-bW9SCDH2rRaHs3-lCP_hoRdrtt4T1rKnhtgLRpmfcuK8IENRVjt26ZgGGi-uO_VMu4QlvBNj2zLXM__aXEqCcU6ciWrp1i3t0fPc7w/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweghT8q-hk-yge8wPw_cu1cwcq_lDkhyphenhyphenLxXFe-bW9SCDH2rRaHs3-lCP_hoRdrtt4T1rKnhtgLRpmfcuK8IENRVjt26ZgGGi-uO_VMu4QlvBNj2zLXM__aXEqCcU6ciWrp1i3t0fPc7w/s400/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264413312270882" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In addition to some memorable gifts, despite all of my protests, Alice and Katie went ahead and created the most elaborate bow hat I have ever seen in my life. Now it’s just a matter of how to get back at them…</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC5s-hZlwn4YKO5yMJeZ9pBpUEkb4DAQPxnDcVmer6Pv0f0AqNaRvoJQUDxHgwQ_FI2UfsM41FTdbNBZ3mqUdga0f7IAH9cKqhT3L2sUu5mfjMiGBHKasrUZ4wpKwfhYJXZGvOxHZj8g/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC5s-hZlwn4YKO5yMJeZ9pBpUEkb4DAQPxnDcVmer6Pv0f0AqNaRvoJQUDxHgwQ_FI2UfsM41FTdbNBZ3mqUdga0f7IAH9cKqhT3L2sUu5mfjMiGBHKasrUZ4wpKwfhYJXZGvOxHZj8g/s400/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264423699477122" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQwMKdEiPPKaDGSmi6w6K_d2F4ojCFgAnqQLGcfx7JFFnhXeIKIvVSuRUbb0qZOclYFwqGDYODgnThqfaBARP4_WdJskEU9MbTxhHE8TMBacKkMx7p7xke8lnxkLYw17GGY9XeOxPApE/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQwMKdEiPPKaDGSmi6w6K_d2F4ojCFgAnqQLGcfx7JFFnhXeIKIvVSuRUbb0qZOclYFwqGDYODgnThqfaBARP4_WdJskEU9MbTxhHE8TMBacKkMx7p7xke8lnxkLYw17GGY9XeOxPApE/s400/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619264571203801858" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WDSzNNmc8ZCllAOiZAPfBR_EqPxAc88jgCJPjQuf_75VmubVt7DJhlRdOf3wN2kjj85HtRRW76fDcTrbd57sZoz15jE13iJ4Rq-wZTnz_byQA3722IbekbY70-5BUsxIJqPt81BGX-c/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WDSzNNmc8ZCllAOiZAPfBR_EqPxAc88jgCJPjQuf_75VmubVt7DJhlRdOf3wN2kjj85HtRRW76fDcTrbd57sZoz15jE13iJ4Rq-wZTnz_byQA3722IbekbY70-5BUsxIJqPt81BGX-c/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619269614579467282" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Now that the shower is over and the thank you notes are sent, I’ll be buckling down to finish invitations, finalize some last minute details, and get myself ready to head out to California for Robin’s big day next month.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-61559862164942151642011-03-23T20:58:00.000-07:002011-03-24T13:06:06.242-07:00Anthony Bourdain<span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe9yUXvz4c4gIoyUww8u2opI5m39cabDc3jnv-jrHHzVM5t7bXZSiAWIIo6cgZcYaeJwuedJJCWE6okIMwv3zDVCbrldCY2xnbcDm1zRltOeH2KIpq6nD9go2BrfGQFmkB0FWg1i0rNc/s1600/Untitled.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjs-J9A6BfxOgLA7olmB5UY6QISmSnORcmZnnIpejmpSH9v99SoGs9lWnnXAYzeQ_oo7emmlAiOpSppeTbV8BcDHts7g5U5m19HKKSPUvY_eqclate8rX2myHxgQ2_V1gh1mOTKiNDBM/s1600/184791_868425176934_11304012_46905488_6797058_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjs-J9A6BfxOgLA7olmB5UY6QISmSnORcmZnnIpejmpSH9v99SoGs9lWnnXAYzeQ_oo7emmlAiOpSppeTbV8BcDHts7g5U5m19HKKSPUvY_eqclate8rX2myHxgQ2_V1gh1mOTKiNDBM/s400/184791_868425176934_11304012_46905488_6797058_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587738651463561954" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPR8hy5SGtBZ838cvFspe37oFRf8kO69ocl6Wx16i8jEhnnt79Mbj4XbikDBHGtR47LiPNPBEdVj9WuyBGwfkVasDPDg6kZIqRw87frV_Y0BlYPHgo3zgH3JbRpKUpr48J_ZssEDbWYqY/s1600/179871_868425072144_11304012_46905487_7347864_n.jpg"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For Christmas this year, Alex's gift fell right into my lap...or to be more precise, my inbox. The DuPont Theatre has been doing some really great one night shows in the last couple of years. Mom and I saw Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin last year and that was spectacular. Since then, I've been on their mailing list. A new feature of the theatre's repetoire has been one night shows with the addition of a "VIP" ticket option. Namely, a higher priced ticket that allows you to meet the act after the show. When the Anthony Bourdain show email hit my inbox and I realized that we might be able to meet him, I was sold.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I bought the tickets, bought the hardback books, and wrapped them up for Christmas. Alex doesn't get obviously excited over gifts, (I squee like a four year old on sugar) but the fact that he started reading the book immediately and didn't put it down all day sort of said it all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />The show was in February, so it was a long wait from Christmas. The night of, we headed to the Hotel Dupont and got dinner in the Brandywine Room. According to the maître d’, we missed Tony by a few minutes. He had been camping out at the bar for a while waiting for showtime.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />Dinner was buffet style, and pretty good. We split a bottle of wine and had some nice conversation before heading down to the theatre for the show. We ran into Ed and Kelly Taylor who were seated directly across the aisle from us.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv2DZVMt3JBxqIdKlERZAvyngyrPI1Gz30rIleueAQTPtvGEEC-lM0uVDllni_cIBCnlm2uSXRbrhOkLN5dwsfrkOVNfSxvD7pYD1CLKunYusyH3xd8PP7fygCDCpwUCbikv8t5a_lsk/s1600/184355_868424827634_11304012_46905484_1702706_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv2DZVMt3JBxqIdKlERZAvyngyrPI1Gz30rIleueAQTPtvGEEC-lM0uVDllni_cIBCnlm2uSXRbrhOkLN5dwsfrkOVNfSxvD7pYD1CLKunYusyH3xd8PP7fygCDCpwUCbikv8t5a_lsk/s400/184355_868424827634_11304012_46905484_1702706_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587738647372975394" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Apparently, Frank Bell was also there, but he didn't come over to see us...<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe9yUXvz4c4gIoyUww8u2opI5m39cabDc3jnv-jrHHzVM5t7bXZSiAWIIo6cgZcYaeJwuedJJCWE6okIMwv3zDVCbrldCY2xnbcDm1zRltOeH2KIpq6nD9go2BrfGQFmkB0FWg1i0rNc/s1600/Untitled.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe9yUXvz4c4gIoyUww8u2opI5m39cabDc3jnv-jrHHzVM5t7bXZSiAWIIo6cgZcYaeJwuedJJCWE6okIMwv3zDVCbrldCY2xnbcDm1zRltOeH2KIpq6nD9go2BrfGQFmkB0FWg1i0rNc/s400/Untitled.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587739387783756738" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />The show itself was a-maz-ing. Tony was very down to earth and funny as hell. The book signing went very quickly and we got a chance to talk to him for a second. It was definitely a very cool night.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPR8hy5SGtBZ838cvFspe37oFRf8kO69ocl6Wx16i8jEhnnt79Mbj4XbikDBHGtR47LiPNPBEdVj9WuyBGwfkVasDPDg6kZIqRw87frV_Y0BlYPHgo3zgH3JbRpKUpr48J_ZssEDbWYqY/s1600/179871_868425072144_11304012_46905487_7347864_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPR8hy5SGtBZ838cvFspe37oFRf8kO69ocl6Wx16i8jEhnnt79Mbj4XbikDBHGtR47LiPNPBEdVj9WuyBGwfkVasDPDg6kZIqRw87frV_Y0BlYPHgo3zgH3JbRpKUpr48J_ZssEDbWYqY/s400/179871_868425072144_11304012_46905487_7347864_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587738644149714002" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />I really think Alex's big, ridiculous grin says it all...<br /><br /><br /></span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-60357809387595761842011-03-16T20:50:00.000-07:002011-03-17T07:39:14.467-07:00Monster Girls' Weekend<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj3r825k80lZ6bWIkwib0ijAf0YbmRykLdW_iMC8Z9ndPt2L1WjEDJ6SDnW_f5jFcl6nfZuS9Cgn34xk1i1psMbgPHLh3AiwpAUvOOrRVb2Jbpx63cl1rM_Ii-F7u09UZLLBJvXPa11Q/s1600/1.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWMuXUAXCfWZcVZfnx7q5SLNrf5GvR01RRmdqvB4U-tU-1jzvC8GCLEF1pvNvyu3qSch4K01F58kYSi5ETSmKWA4CRpd5AukcVP7S_0GloHQ-ORSF6y7trBF1p1xnhEIe0j6yXmugcDk/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWMuXUAXCfWZcVZfnx7q5SLNrf5GvR01RRmdqvB4U-tU-1jzvC8GCLEF1pvNvyu3qSch4K01F58kYSi5ETSmKWA4CRpd5AukcVP7S_0GloHQ-ORSF6y7trBF1p1xnhEIe0j6yXmugcDk/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582947118938458658" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >The countdown for what Jenn and I have affectionately dubbed "Monster Girls' Weekend" may have started a little earlier than any sane person's might, but as many of you know, having Jenn come to visit is one of my favorite things.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTq91mMnmEFxR1nXC9dXRIDFeStojeBV3UOYnHtJNasyvVFJKqqpP71MHNHeQ_K3oRhQO9BUq57FKE-63bVrSiItETbubzwSf9Bc3EOYvy3lrVvZ8U7W4G0eBZRuPNKuE62iEueOCleI/s1600/countdown.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTq91mMnmEFxR1nXC9dXRIDFeStojeBV3UOYnHtJNasyvVFJKqqpP71MHNHeQ_K3oRhQO9BUq57FKE-63bVrSiItETbubzwSf9Bc3EOYvy3lrVvZ8U7W4G0eBZRuPNKuE62iEueOCleI/s400/countdown.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584787073010788946" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Thanks to a collaboration with Momma Pollard, Jenna actually knew nothing about our upcoming February girl's weekend until I started dropping email hints a week before her birthday. Since the concert was in AC, I started with clues about Monopoly, the Miss America Pageant, and the Jersey Shore and progressively moved to Gaga clues like "You Germanotta have figured out your birthday surprise by now."<br /><br /><br />The big reveal email below was sent at midnight on her birthday which was when said countdown above began...<br /><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZWvQH_N_-aB_NaAUmEb8iFXCq-JhbabDquH4y9Uo4vYE_JAnhYtX3RVAhek7yYwAhQUMzEIbf6WjP8MgKcu_zPeLCf7EeZZE7MnfcESMh5cWn6IUIL3_06i4sIONeXl1W0goaoFncyw/s1600/gaga+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZWvQH_N_-aB_NaAUmEb8iFXCq-JhbabDquH4y9Uo4vYE_JAnhYtX3RVAhek7yYwAhQUMzEIbf6WjP8MgKcu_zPeLCf7EeZZE7MnfcESMh5cWn6IUIL3_06i4sIONeXl1W0goaoFncyw/s400/gaga+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584786356099490722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1hXgjVNWbu6eH9ZC7WnFZQ4g5OT7SPPkLB5x3Z_qoFb2lVFv4wOgUFri6A7Aqj4Jzz_pbNZnZ7CtgTPUH-5CHAxibOilRth2GGhGBN9P3WLJKo62xgVi5mB_m4FONM4cjk1cVAg_7OU/s1600/gaga+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1hXgjVNWbu6eH9ZC7WnFZQ4g5OT7SPPkLB5x3Z_qoFb2lVFv4wOgUFri6A7Aqj4Jzz_pbNZnZ7CtgTPUH-5CHAxibOilRth2GGhGBN9P3WLJKo62xgVi5mB_m4FONM4cjk1cVAg_7OU/s400/gaga+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584786358017004626" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Needless to say, Jenn and I were pretty excited. She showed up to the airport on Thursday February 17th (just days after the Valentine's Day from hell...complete with food poisoning and animal escape artists) and we made a pit stop at Chingaari in Newark for Indian food before heading back to M-town. The extremely friendly <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRnSnfiUI54"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Khan</span></a> (insert Star Trek II reference <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRnSnfiUI54"><span style="font-weight: bold;">here</span></a>) that works at Chingaari took a liking to Jenna and offered to help her find a job. After an awkward 30 minutes of standing around making small talk, we were on our way home with paneer tikka masala and a healthy amount of naan.<br /><br /><br />Friday morning we ended up sleeping in as is pretty normal for Jenn and I, and eventually got ourselves together and headed to Newark for some Starbucks and a visit to Networks. Thanks to Mrs. Craighton, my friend Meghan's mom, I know about this school program run by the Christina School District that helps mentally handicapped students develop specialized skills like glass etching. One of the workshops is a printshop, so Jenn and I took the invitation that I like from Etsy to see if it would be possible for them to create something similar. I'm really hoping that it works out well because it would be nice to be able to support the handicapped community by giving them my business. More on this later.<br /><br /><br />After our visit to Networks, I drove Jenna by my old house on Phillips Ave since she had never visited me there. It looks exactly the same and is definitely unihabited. It appears no one has lived there since we did a full three years ago, so I don't know what that's about. It was nice to have that freedom in college, but I have to say that I'm much happier in my little house.<br /><br /><br />At about 1, we headed over to Mom's house where Jenna got to see Logan. We picked up Mom and headed up to the Brandywine River Museum so both Mom and Jenn could see the space where Alex and I will be getting married. It was a beautiful day, so it was nice to see the courtyard in the sunshine. Below are a few photos from someone else's wedding that really don't do the space justice. I'm not a fan of the tiny arch because it gets lost in the space. I think I'll be coming up with something different for ours.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68J4jLxt9sQaYukngov-9B4Ek-3FV3H_SzDGqBvTL3Ui6t-_ChV9Rj99qSXYZ05ZMkDTAJrytUOCX1p0m7AMlyilaNRrorAPeoB8fmh3kkz-6QK5N72qLTffh6E-Pgg9ZZ1XmZh0kVAI/s1600/courtyard+ceremony+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68J4jLxt9sQaYukngov-9B4Ek-3FV3H_SzDGqBvTL3Ui6t-_ChV9Rj99qSXYZ05ZMkDTAJrytUOCX1p0m7AMlyilaNRrorAPeoB8fmh3kkz-6QK5N72qLTffh6E-Pgg9ZZ1XmZh0kVAI/s400/courtyard+ceremony+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585039556954501298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCBwR3gCilq1yXhyphenhyphenaYlaK7XVAyKwLB93ySbI0yUaDqQckU6P_mfRc2lyeFivjNvqVRmyfxYDTQWiRvUsWbhjwC7CNHNve8aGXs5oxesNM0q7PnDllqC1qx2sM0VdA5GxsChvwR1tEcf8/s1600/courtyard+ceremony+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCBwR3gCilq1yXhyphenhyphenaYlaK7XVAyKwLB93ySbI0yUaDqQckU6P_mfRc2lyeFivjNvqVRmyfxYDTQWiRvUsWbhjwC7CNHNve8aGXs5oxesNM0q7PnDllqC1qx2sM0VdA5GxsChvwR1tEcf8/s400/courtyard+ceremony+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585039561698352578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >And here's a shot of one of the museum path's through the wildflower garden where we'll be taking pictures. Rebecca, the events coordinator for the Brandywine River Museum, was telling us that the pictures are lovely, but that there's nothing she can do to prevent drunk kayakers from floating through the background. I'm honestly excited to see if that actually happens...<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVbJmLrRJm_PaLft7teqMHNuMV7V38T9_48Prq6DTubQFD6bgi9237siqPYdX9GCDjo0ns4vB6VY2Rs2LrNNO9lYqbDI8bu13lXbo6OH6GJKsHhikonm5sP_ePza0k6nPvtpAzz0pT4w/s1600/museum+path+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVbJmLrRJm_PaLft7teqMHNuMV7V38T9_48Prq6DTubQFD6bgi9237siqPYdX9GCDjo0ns4vB6VY2Rs2LrNNO9lYqbDI8bu13lXbo6OH6GJKsHhikonm5sP_ePza0k6nPvtpAzz0pT4w/s400/museum+path+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585039570410952802" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >After a visit to the museum, we headed back towards Hockessin via some seriously back roads thanks to my GPS. Mom had found this new shop called Designer Consigner, so we got in a little retail therapy there (Jenna found some awesome boots) and then headed over to Marshalls. After dropping Mom off, Jenn and I were beat, so we stopped for some Corona's at the shady liquor store near the mall and headed home with our Don Pablos take out for movies and hanging out with Harper.<br /><br /><br />Saturday was concert day, so we got up, packed out stuff, and appreciated Alex's thoughtfulness at wearing his Lady Gaga inspired t-shirt.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPIcoi8l4anqy2hlXCP9UnM0_Vf5zyFVSVPl_grh_PAdHwwYIAc3thDSvuNQajOgqkVhAHXhd1fhCwHIZAx89xvc3kiXziNQ3rSx0O3pciboOokkd6uIo0gisC1ARu3EMqDq1LTxMlqg/s1600/2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPIcoi8l4anqy2hlXCP9UnM0_Vf5zyFVSVPl_grh_PAdHwwYIAc3thDSvuNQajOgqkVhAHXhd1fhCwHIZAx89xvc3kiXziNQ3rSx0O3pciboOokkd6uIo0gisC1ARu3EMqDq1LTxMlqg/s400/2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582943902825632466" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPIcoi8l4anqy2hlXCP9UnM0_Vf5zyFVSVPl_grh_PAdHwwYIAc3thDSvuNQajOgqkVhAHXhd1fhCwHIZAx89xvc3kiXziNQ3rSx0O3pciboOokkd6uIo0gisC1ARu3EMqDq1LTxMlqg/s1600/2.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj3r825k80lZ6bWIkwib0ijAf0YbmRykLdW_iMC8Z9ndPt2L1WjEDJ6SDnW_f5jFcl6nfZuS9Cgn34xk1i1psMbgPHLh3AiwpAUvOOrRVb2Jbpx63cl1rM_Ii-F7u09UZLLBJvXPa11Q/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj3r825k80lZ6bWIkwib0ijAf0YbmRykLdW_iMC8Z9ndPt2L1WjEDJ6SDnW_f5jFcl6nfZuS9Cgn34xk1i1psMbgPHLh3AiwpAUvOOrRVb2Jbpx63cl1rM_Ii-F7u09UZLLBJvXPa11Q/s400/1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582943899227776882" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >After a quick trip to the mall for some fun makeup at Sephora and a Starbuck's run, we were off to New Jersey!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmq2HVyBKPF1s7dFyAb1msQOrn3b_LeGAhzwgGgeZXeTVFOdntx5nvAfRIL65XAIPMQjxnYAX-kcxzCWVPNxCBHEQANmt1eilnw3RABxbyfyQeNw3Ozru_o10mUpgYD98AqCcL3E1pf4/s1600/4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmq2HVyBKPF1s7dFyAb1msQOrn3b_LeGAhzwgGgeZXeTVFOdntx5nvAfRIL65XAIPMQjxnYAX-kcxzCWVPNxCBHEQANmt1eilnw3RABxbyfyQeNw3Ozru_o10mUpgYD98AqCcL3E1pf4/s400/4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582943915183728370" border="0" /></a><br />And then we realized somewhere around Cherry Hill that we didn't have the tickets, so we went back to Delaware!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_yBcSay2zpNksivTJS6wbnywrzsRteIqhyphenhyphenjBQFNsxEDa5Y9nZiCYcfxnKzXV2Dtudyz2rDLYMCd6AgFrGbuh5iUkNYlI7wN5C25-83gGlivchQNR3hGAz8nqWzE08CI2UDc9jIdOaKs/s1600/5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_yBcSay2zpNksivTJS6wbnywrzsRteIqhyphenhyphenjBQFNsxEDa5Y9nZiCYcfxnKzXV2Dtudyz2rDLYMCd6AgFrGbuh5iUkNYlI7wN5C25-83gGlivchQNR3hGAz8nqWzE08CI2UDc9jIdOaKs/s400/5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582943921270401026" border="0" /></a><br />Got home, got the tickets, endured Alex shaking his head at us a lot, and got back on the road for New Jersey (again!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVU-H1kUR0RlE388u6AuhZhcKoutj2eNYFRVTSDOILAhhJap3zFW0evlur9H-xqueWT-9t6SDqIHvmV3KneAOQlZipDQzZvewgMdeWtlP9mWVw0TA1AjUZWqUcNEryfdUe1duPSS0VZE/s1600/6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVU-H1kUR0RlE388u6AuhZhcKoutj2eNYFRVTSDOILAhhJap3zFW0evlur9H-xqueWT-9t6SDqIHvmV3KneAOQlZipDQzZvewgMdeWtlP9mWVw0TA1AjUZWqUcNEryfdUe1duPSS0VZE/s400/6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582944024363901730" border="0" /></a><br />Considering our blondness, we actually made it there in pretty amazing time and were on the AC Expressway so Jenna could see the welcome signs with the most awkward tagline of all time for herself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC5jdRNEawcriUFytgOkh28y1rZM1oL_XGW037OXP5_Wq2xSktUQklfOExcxbLZXO8NtfDKklUwhk3w3vO7UfVlBbnnJspYZR4nOqidM89iX3mxd9ZXAIzlvze7P4vABe48lopx4mH60/s1600/Picture-of-Welcome-To-Atlantic-City-300x225.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC5jdRNEawcriUFytgOkh28y1rZM1oL_XGW037OXP5_Wq2xSktUQklfOExcxbLZXO8NtfDKklUwhk3w3vO7UfVlBbnnJspYZR4nOqidM89iX3mxd9ZXAIzlvze7P4vABe48lopx4mH60/s400/Picture-of-Welcome-To-Atlantic-City-300x225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585042435729159938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For those who can't read that, here's a nice, clean version of AC's signature tagline. As the wise Barney Stinson once said, "Ah, AC. Always in decline, never hitting bottom." This was my first trip during the off season, so I ended up taking that particular wisdom to heart.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Byn8lVmQ4GgEQ9c45eKUrfmneu4J5LWx_5QwX2FtHjLoA1s1_cAzV_hzLRFtKmN5gOUDC2Ua1JDbtohT0VvoDAbKVZu3u-tkFJE3kIhwsYXbsgtnioDRLjUM27qP_y-lLtiH7Uac59o/s1600/ACYATOPantone200C.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Byn8lVmQ4GgEQ9c45eKUrfmneu4J5LWx_5QwX2FtHjLoA1s1_cAzV_hzLRFtKmN5gOUDC2Ua1JDbtohT0VvoDAbKVZu3u-tkFJE3kIhwsYXbsgtnioDRLjUM27qP_y-lLtiH7Uac59o/s400/ACYATOPantone200C.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585042438101255090" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > I really wish that we had taken photos inside of our hotel. First things first, the parking garage which was not attached to the hotel itself was 12 floors. We of course had to park on the top floor on the windiest day of the year so far dodging cars coming down the parking garage on what seemed to us like the wrong side of the road. Turns out that this garage with a lane wide enough for one car to pass was indeed two-way, so I got really good at pulling into odd pseudo spaces to get out of the way. I was very thankful for my tiny Honda at this point because anything larger would have been impossible to deal with.<br /><br /><br /><br />After parking at the very top, we realized that this old school parking garage had no elevator. I had packed light, so I just lifted my suitcase and hauled it down the stairs. Jenn only had the bag she had brought from FL, and despite it being light since she left most of her stuff at my house, it was too big to lift, so she came down the stairs with a mind-numbing THUNK, THUNK, THUNK, on each and every stair. By the time we got to the lobby, we looked a hot, windblown, crazy ass mess.<br /><br /><br /><br />Luckily, although slow, the elevators worked in the hotel, so we headed up to the 5th floor and unpacked in what I can only describe as a 5th floor beach bungalow. It was so odd...<br /><br /><br /><br />There was a kitchenette next to the bed, an island at the foot of the bed that separated the "bedroom" from the "living room" and a TV on top of the island. Much to Jenna's delight, we found that the TV case swiveled, so you could turn the tv to face the bed or the living area depending on where you were. Below is a picture from someone else who stayed at Atlantic Palace that had a swivel TV as well.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vziy6UDRO0bxmQ_itMxQYWmYflrpwZWanyhG3amWy9E1POi16tzDQWf3XpSr1-nNV7g9uV-mfcFZ9CkUg3bE6QjEDkNIMBpimeSB0NXIbZwv0sIpRnrrmJjEq1PNSaLSKCuBSWqxm2U/s1600/tv+swivel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vziy6UDRO0bxmQ_itMxQYWmYflrpwZWanyhG3amWy9E1POi16tzDQWf3XpSr1-nNV7g9uV-mfcFZ9CkUg3bE6QjEDkNIMBpimeSB0NXIbZwv0sIpRnrrmJjEq1PNSaLSKCuBSWqxm2U/s400/tv+swivel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585047705027524514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >The oddest part of the room though, was the window with drawn shades at the center of the room that didn't lead to the outdoors. It tooks us a while to figure out that the window actually was in the shower, and your choices were shower in total darkness with the blinds shut for privacy, or expose yourself to the world for a little light. Yep.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVo5QEl32AHYoMBy7wAuxASweJVcwmEikBgiaDzZZiZ-cgjXdnRG58jHI3QbBt3iKr4aI1jtPoYfL5ZOWbzF1y2AH1me5Yf5rk0lbqpftuzjJddAN7N2C6xtxv_X1wLPBsdYbMt6KgHc/s1600/tub2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVo5QEl32AHYoMBy7wAuxASweJVcwmEikBgiaDzZZiZ-cgjXdnRG58jHI3QbBt3iKr4aI1jtPoYfL5ZOWbzF1y2AH1me5Yf5rk0lbqpftuzjJddAN7N2C6xtxv_X1wLPBsdYbMt6KgHc/s400/tub2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585047696142977362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs56NQgGI0kOMUAUWJs9Gqpa7xVtSPPlJiai9c3jNh10UylEeYHq2hOccxl-2S95A_4d5w263xHHonoyd3ryE6CTx7SE_nZXwWcT6sians6L50bWFhB_JZXIr9lPiSTTbhL9CQRXVGXnY/s1600/tub.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs56NQgGI0kOMUAUWJs9Gqpa7xVtSPPlJiai9c3jNh10UylEeYHq2hOccxl-2S95A_4d5w263xHHonoyd3ryE6CTx7SE_nZXwWcT6sians6L50bWFhB_JZXIr9lPiSTTbhL9CQRXVGXnY/s400/tub.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585047694935715794" border="0" /></a></span> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br />The coolest part of the room was the window that spanned an entire wall and had a padded window seat. Despite heinous curtains that looked like they belonged in a 7 year old girl's room, it was nice to be able to sit and look out at the sunset as we got ready for the evening.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcshptKyR9mv7bt3g2hUvU3cVZcUsOehMgdSi-o1V0VjSaLkYlYC6cz_PUxVbnb_G_wLnADKlI5S73ueIN00SLhf7zsBptIoR0tslnGwGTqeiokIAgF1Q61znSNxMF9PS3eZxC9uqHIlQ/s1600/7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcshptKyR9mv7bt3g2hUvU3cVZcUsOehMgdSi-o1V0VjSaLkYlYC6cz_PUxVbnb_G_wLnADKlI5S73ueIN00SLhf7zsBptIoR0tslnGwGTqeiokIAgF1Q61znSNxMF9PS3eZxC9uqHIlQ/s400/7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582944027233043650" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br />Despite our inital desire to get all decked out like Gaga in skimpy, glittery, crazy clothes and impossibly high heels, Jenn and I decided that we were in fact way too old for that shit and opted for a glittery top with a sheer shirt over it, jeans, and black boots for me, and a glittery top, cardigan, jeans, and boots for her. The longer the night went on, the more sure that we were that we had made the right decision. On top of everyone else at the concert taking care of the weird and skimpy for us, it was effing FREEZING that night.<br /><br /><br />Taking a cab seemed like the best idea we'd ever had after taking one look at the walk we'd have to take to Boardwalk hall, so we headed out. Our cabbie was more bizarre than any NY taxi driver I've ever encounted, and that's saying something. He kept asking us, "Lady Gaga, shaky shaky? She is bad girl, shaky shaky. You girls shaky shaky your booty?" in his heavy middle eastern accent. We just sort of ignored what was happening and thanked God that it was only a 5 minute ride.<br /><br /><br />We ended up getting dropped off at some underground secret entrance to Boardwalk Hall that was connected to the parking lot. We tried to take the elevator up to the main floor to go outside and get something to eat, but had more than a little trouble. Somehow, Jenn and I managed to end up in an employee's only section without having our tickets checked and had to have someone help us get OUT of Boardwalk Hall. After a few minutes of being turned around, we ended up exiting through the main entrance at which point Jenn followed me into the same divided section of the revolving door and promptly got her purse stuck, immobilizing the door. Yep.<br /><br /><br />So there we were, stuck in the door with Boardwalk Hall employees shaking their heads and rolling their eyes on one side and the entirety of the crowd that had been camped out waiting to get their mosh pit seats to Gaga on the other. A nice gentleman came and forced the door open, freeing Jenna and I, who slinked off with our tails between our legs to Trinity to get something to eat.</span> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmIiVmygXBCpp2mu9viZZdXZSN2FnMCpvxKkWN_ohlhpE8NedisdeUd-gPiZtcot5sTGp3saTAunOFJwVIxVVNkdT3qtF-xvdaf1UcKGLzTcV5YLHDaUbvKhekUv-v2cjWueQ9b102us/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmIiVmygXBCpp2mu9viZZdXZSN2FnMCpvxKkWN_ohlhpE8NedisdeUd-gPiZtcot5sTGp3saTAunOFJwVIxVVNkdT3qtF-xvdaf1UcKGLzTcV5YLHDaUbvKhekUv-v2cjWueQ9b102us/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582947117099552002" border="0" /></a><br />Of course despite the fact that there was no one in there, it took over an hour for them to seat us, so we amused ourselves by taking pictures and drinking wine and beer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAlnY9Gka54UvdcAZECPCiJgrDv-vBbiqpVpz8zC8Y_yZoo3jeW90K5ZHLAJFX3vBO-wLEs722yKlkqIVvLyN4WoEC3YnNiUy3UMcmyKkihi4yRla3mEFKMnfLnGK9skK_3kzdX0AwYI/s1600/8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAlnY9Gka54UvdcAZECPCiJgrDv-vBbiqpVpz8zC8Y_yZoo3jeW90K5ZHLAJFX3vBO-wLEs722yKlkqIVvLyN4WoEC3YnNiUy3UMcmyKkihi4yRla3mEFKMnfLnGK9skK_3kzdX0AwYI/s400/8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582944033406995746" border="0" /></a><br />Of course as is customary any time Jenn and I go out, we made a "friend." By friend, I mean big scary dude that wouldn't stop talking to us about his weed habit and how AC is such a cool town and where he goes to church and check out my tattoos, etc. Of course we ended up talking to this dude almost the whole time we waited.<br /><br />Luckily food service was quicker than getting a table, so after our dinner of fish and chips and a burger for Jenn, we headed over to Boardwalk Hall, got inside (with tickets this time), and got in the world's. longest. drink line.<br /><br />Of course.<br /><br />The show started at 8, which means Gaga goes on at 9ish? 915ish? Do we have time for this? So we gauged whether or not we were missing anything based on how loudly the crowd was cheering. Of course AS we get our watered down $8 cranberry vodkas, the deafening roar of the crowd washes over us, and we race to find our seats. It took a while to get there, so as we ran in heels balancing drinks, we were sing-screaming the lyrics to "Dancing in the Dark" praying to god we weren't missing anything too awesome.<br /><br /><br />So our seats turned out to be sort of crappy, but it was definitely well worth it. The stage map shows that the seats where we were had a partial side view of the stage, but it turns out Gaga brings her own stage, so hers jutted out a hell of a lot further than the originial Boardwalk Hall stage. This is how it ended up looking from our perspective.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf-HNxyOP3asm8ieJ5421f5liUU3xYgxYcgC0pEuJVgaaMMbxBBGgi2Yt1MWyBwpfux5ZSQeZOXLMtotBhAFK4g0K4tCrj1la_9sqmZBhqMmkrVmXv6CL5G0pzV9hr-eZO0WLiXJGNYs/s1600/9.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf-HNxyOP3asm8ieJ5421f5liUU3xYgxYcgC0pEuJVgaaMMbxBBGgi2Yt1MWyBwpfux5ZSQeZOXLMtotBhAFK4g0K4tCrj1la_9sqmZBhqMmkrVmXv6CL5G0pzV9hr-eZO0WLiXJGNYs/s400/9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582944034755345890" border="0" /></a><br />According to google images in the morning, this is what it looked like from the front. So we missed a bit of the detail, but we definitely got to see all of the choreography from a cool perspective, and the show was amazing.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj93DB8ceuOTXMc9MWU-G82pefHjfm5dDZDoZEMROFfG3cMebn7McSw1AoTyUhlZuMIfFKHJHgtjOVnQ_5RsvEH6YqfPi-i9Vdrd2M1gxxHdq8N-GBI85wZ1yr4kHZNd9iD6g9mmasEtk/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj93DB8ceuOTXMc9MWU-G82pefHjfm5dDZDoZEMROFfG3cMebn7McSw1AoTyUhlZuMIfFKHJHgtjOVnQ_5RsvEH6YqfPi-i9Vdrd2M1gxxHdq8N-GBI85wZ1yr4kHZNd9iD6g9mmasEtk/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582947124360567858" border="0" /></a><br />Afterwards, we weren't ready to go home yet, so we opted to check out the surrounding casinos. Unfortunately the one that was the least crowded was Bally's, which has a Western theme, where of course after 11, the "Vixens" perform.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nyh2dNuvA7cnoz1lEopSjG3XTHnKUDXuCjt5Q-lJ_jDlQ8-JfiFqyV3H6xhdos5camtoxiu00uvjTo-T4N40WIna5_-tEXR_ScLU-TglbfuAJcaoM_yrhyphenhyphenqj-0Tc_W7h3KON5lameuw/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nyh2dNuvA7cnoz1lEopSjG3XTHnKUDXuCjt5Q-lJ_jDlQ8-JfiFqyV3H6xhdos5camtoxiu00uvjTo-T4N40WIna5_-tEXR_ScLU-TglbfuAJcaoM_yrhyphenhyphenqj-0Tc_W7h3KON5lameuw/s400/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582944097949891970" border="0" /></a>Jenna of course, couldn't contain her excitement and is considering a job as a Vixen if the Old Navy thing doesn't work out. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWI80yXC9lmcNL23wBPsJI7ZzQD2cTAqg6zjlVw-0zRKmgqBD0UWEhWmk3ALGLiroGbJVwEiczoxynyLc2jQ-0TxjN8GpkqtiIpnUTzW9283hMaaHgS8QWufnN8gVd6PXtKU19CMZPv0/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWI80yXC9lmcNL23wBPsJI7ZzQD2cTAqg6zjlVw-0zRKmgqBD0UWEhWmk3ALGLiroGbJVwEiczoxynyLc2jQ-0TxjN8GpkqtiIpnUTzW9283hMaaHgS8QWufnN8gVd6PXtKU19CMZPv0/s400/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582944094276240018" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcVzsHpr05ExNec8dS_G53K7DzxDEvF8D7eqo_J6RJ7ITQ-Xyz81Z3hcv645kz6jeLgwbKpz1SFz8V30uGgq-Ih1BSPRKfC2vgk8L3yBZXSOlxGekLPXFB7bnaNv6mxCkvp5dwnaxWuE/s1600/10.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcVzsHpr05ExNec8dS_G53K7DzxDEvF8D7eqo_J6RJ7ITQ-Xyz81Z3hcv645kz6jeLgwbKpz1SFz8V30uGgq-Ih1BSPRKfC2vgk8L3yBZXSOlxGekLPXFB7bnaNv6mxCkvp5dwnaxWuE/s400/10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582944040178660082" border="0" /></a>During the concert, it had gotten warm, so I took off my overshirt and was just in my sparkly, low-cut wrap top. While walking to the bar to get drinks, I got stares from a group of 50-something men leering at the girls on the bar, hoping that their deep-seeded 19-year-old insecurity would mean acceptance of a stealthily proffered hotel room card. Jenn and I have affectionately termed them "the Daddy Issues Club", which skeeves us both out to no end. After the leering, I opted to re-dress and we both moved away from the Vixens and towards a really terrible Lady Gaga impersonator at the karaoke bar.<br /><br />After a few test tube shots, Coronas, wasting about $20 on slots, and switching shoes with each other because my feet hurt, we opted to walk back to Caesar's and sit in the indoor lounge chairs overlooking the beach. Obviously at 1 in the morning, it was dark, but here's someone else's picture of what that set up looks like.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8RQ9GqwFy_VXqPNdWokqnxzFNU6EjlkEe0E_0tgDDd5ZMSCCOo0s_Ux7mmgoSaMW0ipaKAS92csn0gjFr7cDNTuOEV3rHfvMiAn0MCgfXdt6Ef8fHkJMXH_nU-2rQBumejTa2THrR6A/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8RQ9GqwFy_VXqPNdWokqnxzFNU6EjlkEe0E_0tgDDd5ZMSCCOo0s_Ux7mmgoSaMW0ipaKAS92csn0gjFr7cDNTuOEV3rHfvMiAn0MCgfXdt6Ef8fHkJMXH_nU-2rQBumejTa2THrR6A/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582947111603022306" border="0" /></a>Eventually we headed back via a slightly less creepy cab driver, opted for junk food from the snack machine, brushed our teeth and went to bed.<br /><br />The morning was a really pain in the ass checkout which ended up with the elevators being so overcrowded that we ended up THUNK, THUNK, THUNKing down 5 flights of steps and then back up 12 more in the parking garage. Eventually there was Starbucks, a pit stop at the grocery store, and homemade falafel for dinner at home while watching Anthony Bourdain.<br /><br />Monday morning started with a nice breakfast at Bob Evans followed by an impromteau trip to DSW where I found not only yellow shoes to go with my new dress from Marshall's but also a very pretty pair of cream pumps with flowers over the toe that I'm pretty sure will end up being my wedding shoes! Sadly, after our shoe shopping, I took Jenn back to the airport and said our goodbyes. Looking forward to the next one as soon as possible!<br /><br />All in all a perfect girls' weekend...<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcQwk7ut1Y8zUQzyxresbWJWaop3j5lLZUKT-gjkSYX62BMR_LyPQm4Fa0ZsRHzxwS6r4juqMyYnvqdUA-X3lJh-T6b_DRXEpgIDjs6z9nDF6-KD-gbytN_Z2d-akoLN7aaURozadgnY/s1600/3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcQwk7ut1Y8zUQzyxresbWJWaop3j5lLZUKT-gjkSYX62BMR_LyPQm4Fa0ZsRHzxwS6r4juqMyYnvqdUA-X3lJh-T6b_DRXEpgIDjs6z9nDF6-KD-gbytN_Z2d-akoLN7aaURozadgnY/s400/3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582943907215618530" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-37744798462417518892011-03-07T20:50:00.000-08:002011-03-08T12:18:47.657-08:00Two Little Girls Running Amok in David's Bridal<span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUXdy7p5fCzuRT0_yOiLvfI6hdnC96BnRjD_u3vA9DpfHwu6TZ-fRJuMtVejlb8lXxhKIjXP2Pm8UpEyPOhBXGMRXE08EEUYvPesPrnei9ucOpIO81hGue14AxMsZsvhdx2laUNLMqqU/s1600/girls+and+alex.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUXdy7p5fCzuRT0_yOiLvfI6hdnC96BnRjD_u3vA9DpfHwu6TZ-fRJuMtVejlb8lXxhKIjXP2Pm8UpEyPOhBXGMRXE08EEUYvPesPrnei9ucOpIO81hGue14AxMsZsvhdx2laUNLMqqU/s400/girls+and+alex.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581785033857968738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />So, for those of you who don't already know, in addition to my five bridesmaids, we're having two of our favorite little girls as a part of the wedding. I've been babysitting Samantha and Skylar since they were in diapers, and over the past four years, I've been taking Alex with me when I babysit. Turns out they really took a liking to each other.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNifulwX5D5CBL85dtvXjX7AIzmwBrD4yygzSp2xhjgTxoBPMbz7ohOFLYd4gtjqsQ_CU3Bd1Uog2m787VG4oCHvsoHIGX_1-Rf9OuAvaoHrextiAZtn-4Ifgj4-_wR9riGIUQ7D8nnI/s320/twit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNifulwX5D5CBL85dtvXjX7AIzmwBrD4yygzSp2xhjgTxoBPMbz7ohOFLYd4gtjqsQ_CU3Bd1Uog2m787VG4oCHvsoHIGX_1-Rf9OuAvaoHrextiAZtn-4Ifgj4-_wR9riGIUQ7D8nnI/s320/twit.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />These two have easily been the biggest cheerleaders for our relationship, and are the epitome of what it means to be excited. They have been asking me since the very first time I brought Alex over, "When are you guys getting maaaaaaaaaarried?" and "Can we be in your wedding?" — long before we had ever given such things a thought. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Alex has endured (and enjoyed) many a Saturday night being climbed all over, forced into "princehood" (I am usually the wicked queen...they are the princesses), and being teased by both the girls and myself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />When we decided we were going to get married, one of the first things that was decided was that these two were going to be a part of it. Sadly, because of the size of my family, I won't be able to have anyone under 18 at the reception besides these two and Alex's cousin Michael who is also in the wedding. Coming from Italian and Irish families means LOTS of kids. So it's nice that we will at least have these two and Michael to keep the crowd young.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Even though they were picked out as part of the wedding party months and months ago, I still hadn't told them yet. When the bridal consultant told me that it could take between 4-6 months to get dresses in, I decided we'd better fill them in and get dress shopping.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />On Saturday, I went over to the Gallucio's under the pretense of picking up my Christmas present that I still hadn't come over to get. I went over and opened my present and while I was ripping the paper, I started telling them that I had a very important question. They both looked at me quizzically, not knowing where this was going. "Would you girls be interested in...say...getting dressed up, and riding in a limo, and being in my wedding?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Their little eyes lit up and with huge smiles they both agreed and ran around and got all excited. Then I told them to get their shoes because we were going to go get their dresses. A quick ride over to David's Bridal to meet their Mom and the next thing they knew, we were trying on dresses.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j1r1oiGMFYXXqkJS8jI4HPc3tWhrqSWXHGPwzBHc3Ym7vvTzOMVLbzR3tUSU2A_G0EN8GJNUVyv0ZDDS6aC6Al54N-7Gnz7DIDOTjFNIyvpKCaXk7Bq9MWc5JffInnJX1b4ATDo5XVw/s1600/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j1r1oiGMFYXXqkJS8jI4HPc3tWhrqSWXHGPwzBHc3Ym7vvTzOMVLbzR3tUSU2A_G0EN8GJNUVyv0ZDDS6aC6Al54N-7Gnz7DIDOTjFNIyvpKCaXk7Bq9MWc5JffInnJX1b4ATDo5XVw/s400/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581784259169806818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">There are tons of mirrors on every surface in the store, so every time they got a new dress on, they each had to walk around and look from every angle.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTYS22QnqGlVQ2AIwlmNmLwXp_64SznGKsEf6dmNjdGyK2vTOn3UNxx722xCcX3w35FZkUkXNTT6Hg2Y34S7qkCS_vKxY7z4hZ4srbs1ffVYzjPCCVlx6UHVjuvuc0LeDJKG47ghVykQ/s1600/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTYS22QnqGlVQ2AIwlmNmLwXp_64SznGKsEf6dmNjdGyK2vTOn3UNxx722xCcX3w35FZkUkXNTT6Hg2Y34S7qkCS_vKxY7z4hZ4srbs1ffVYzjPCCVlx6UHVjuvuc0LeDJKG47ghVykQ/s400/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581784253704075778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Samantha (on the left) ended up choosing this dress. Obviously it will be in navy blue, and we are going to have it cut to tea length and sew some bugle beads on the neckline.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghMcvJABgyFbC8R_IKTRQDzrrxK_f_zNnjbzGhMqaXCT289fdd3odqODaTAGqOfUu5plbxtZb8WawohWBL-egWqOZBm6w4_bZRWRO4dJz5OKykCnWTVn6cr9ZJCLYTrPdFPM_H2LZxtw/s1600/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghMcvJABgyFbC8R_IKTRQDzrrxK_f_zNnjbzGhMqaXCT289fdd3odqODaTAGqOfUu5plbxtZb8WawohWBL-egWqOZBm6w4_bZRWRO4dJz5OKykCnWTVn6cr9ZJCLYTrPdFPM_H2LZxtw/s400/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581784268353908034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Skylar on the other hand, fell in love with "the one with the flowerrrrrsssssssss!" and wouldn't take it off. We're also going to cut hers short so she can "twirl" properly.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Once they had each picked out their dress, Arlene and I spent about 20 minutes watching them model in the mirror. Talk about a good time!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe4MgXGA0GuBs2h4oR27Hsf2s_vyn0hiTXjOOr_bev_CPOpxOm_Ufpim068Y-pjQYpp0omWQwkWOPHxrLzT98ouRN078GyG4ZBOgH7f-LXb0m1qG9v8k1k6VdUhh9S_D12kMohEdwgbk/s1600/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe4MgXGA0GuBs2h4oR27Hsf2s_vyn0hiTXjOOr_bev_CPOpxOm_Ufpim068Y-pjQYpp0omWQwkWOPHxrLzT98ouRN078GyG4ZBOgH7f-LXb0m1qG9v8k1k6VdUhh9S_D12kMohEdwgbk/s400/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581784280653179426" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yNGHqSdf0_NOHhTA_poQKxkzksUIfd3-lyN6zoI0tsDVlIejfJUBpR85uYnlx3tDvBuWNvz_KxwkNUgOLXuoHfW8Gc2R3h7Q2FGvVoiwhHjcK02NtdJhtOUX4COlDce1kqJHObwZDBU/s1600/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yNGHqSdf0_NOHhTA_poQKxkzksUIfd3-lyN6zoI0tsDVlIejfJUBpR85uYnlx3tDvBuWNvz_KxwkNUgOLXuoHfW8Gc2R3h7Q2FGvVoiwhHjcK02NtdJhtOUX4COlDce1kqJHObwZDBU/s400/Sam+and+Skylar+Dress+Shopping+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581784271397040770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-2903666389251000922011-03-06T19:44:00.000-08:002011-03-08T11:20:30.043-08:00Bridesmaid Dresses<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >Now that they're all ordered, it just seems fitting to do a terrible MS Paint rendition. Sorry to the Italian girls for the terrible skin color matching...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGh-snuqgSbf9-9NhbCuWLK_SJaknWVaOqRtfj4yYzC9PjjrCqrEHvaK0-BxnYTMq9Lz0kmlZc9kqUBtp__WTRp2T3Piw5bhX1MZSEMVrC4SC1a6NaSdXwXmlWq-_qdXoXCmRfqZc4QQ/s1600/bridesmaids.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGh-snuqgSbf9-9NhbCuWLK_SJaknWVaOqRtfj4yYzC9PjjrCqrEHvaK0-BxnYTMq9Lz0kmlZc9kqUBtp__WTRp2T3Piw5bhX1MZSEMVrC4SC1a6NaSdXwXmlWq-_qdXoXCmRfqZc4QQ/s400/bridesmaids.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581781961003126242" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-35682292801329981912011-01-18T18:40:00.000-08:002011-01-20T11:39:57.551-08:00The Case of the Missing Necklace<span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Harper is pretty infamous for taking things. Socks. Underwear. Shoes. Food. But jewelry? I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">On Sunday morning after yoga, I was in the shower and could hear Harper in our room running around like a lunatic — which usually indicates that he has gotten a hold of something he shouldn't. So I wrapped myself in a towel with the water still running and went to see what he had gotten into. He stops, glares at me, challenging me to chase him, and I see the chain of a necklace hanging out of his face like a piece of spaghetti.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Recognizing the necklace, I begin to panic, but managed to calmly grab the dog and pull the chain out of his mouth. Unfortunately the chain came out sans pendant. Harper kept chomping and running, but by the time I grabbed him again, whatever was in his mouth (presumably the pendant) was long gone. He looked very proud of himself.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Not unlike after his recent total destruction of Dr. Penguin toy.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONdW4ZWKCrfd_7aoENjtJJHW9CkGRnHJFgdCuzEsjqk5phgz2H8fUSeM3lXVfFgDpy1BlIcX0hZdwyAiFgyXNNbJTPnwGdxXicJ105wxzKlAeQZhdgNAvCPvU6kRbvuKA2Og2rn5uXnA/s1600/safe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONdW4ZWKCrfd_7aoENjtJJHW9CkGRnHJFgdCuzEsjqk5phgz2H8fUSeM3lXVfFgDpy1BlIcX0hZdwyAiFgyXNNbJTPnwGdxXicJ105wxzKlAeQZhdgNAvCPvU6kRbvuKA2Og2rn5uXnA/s400/safe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564352714500451170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />So I yell for Alex like a lunatic and he came running. Alex did a cursory look around but we didn't find the pendant. Presumably, it's in the dog. Fantastic.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Now, of all my jewelry, it appears Harper has good taste. Other than my engagement ring, the necklace he stole is probably the most sentimentally significant piece of jewelry I own. Back when I was in high school and my dad was still working, it was hard for him to wear his wedding band at his job because it was sort of an occupational hazard. Eventually we realized that it didn't fit him any longer, so my Mom and Dad took it to Bridgewater Jewelers over in Old New Castle and had it fashioned into a heart pendant for my Mom. The ring itself was bent into a heart shape and then the diamond from my Mom's engagement ring was added to the center.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0OlrFz0I2roSh8qi6KJny1AfDOOb0Ms2TocsYIFCTly1EsTxHFZLBGsjHCivZ5CcvgHAChvHj_ZPsHFQYjQWHbb9oyoIW1e25I5jtChimGrWm1hBrDgm_qDECurBz1leIaYqrRwS4zc/s1600/mom+necklace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0OlrFz0I2roSh8qi6KJny1AfDOOb0Ms2TocsYIFCTly1EsTxHFZLBGsjHCivZ5CcvgHAChvHj_ZPsHFQYjQWHbb9oyoIW1e25I5jtChimGrWm1hBrDgm_qDECurBz1leIaYqrRwS4zc/s400/mom+necklace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563927350155012514" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />I always really liked the necklace and the sentimental value it held, so in August of 2003, my parents gave me a similar necklace made out of my mother's original wedding band. When she worked on the floor at the hospital, my mom was only allowed to have a plain gold band, so the original white gold band was put away. Mom prefers the plain yellow gold ring, so she and my dad decided to have the original made into my very own heart necklace. They gave it to me that August because I was about to have my senior picture taken and they though that I would enjoy having something special to wear.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Since then, I have worn that necklace pretty much every single day, so needless to say, I'm pretty upset that my tiny little jewelry thief has made off with it.<br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhywH9K0ZupMkcdTJ4BsXi9kSyVfVYJPWJH9CGGFkaNKHeGabXC_NEgsH-Ze_g0AAka65-BeStEVohtPuka6uQyk15TXumY_GyAgFnAuL7h27jpD6aAUO__BwjESQuLCI038bnXa7UAg/s1600/necklace+shots.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhywH9K0ZupMkcdTJ4BsXi9kSyVfVYJPWJH9CGGFkaNKHeGabXC_NEgsH-Ze_g0AAka65-BeStEVohtPuka6uQyk15TXumY_GyAgFnAuL7h27jpD6aAUO__BwjESQuLCI038bnXa7UAg/s400/necklace+shots.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563927355623304786" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">So, after 3 days of checking poop, there was still no pendant</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">. On Tuesday morning, I called the vet to get their recommendation. Of course they suggested an xray to see if it's in his belly, so Harper and I went down there and he waited patiently to see the doctor.</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY2Tm6btXkvHkarVYTmONrIGqIZxt1cg2gHgsa4kOrciMJxIxST5yX_8iLrB6YStUPDoI0LcAvH7Hm8tfRm_BUIO1D5biQg4QhsDmP2iFeN2eAQZ9_km0ocQLQ_YJUrUytptZ_0_5PKY/s1600/sigh.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY2Tm6btXkvHkarVYTmONrIGqIZxt1cg2gHgsa4kOrciMJxIxST5yX_8iLrB6YStUPDoI0LcAvH7Hm8tfRm_BUIO1D5biQg4QhsDmP2iFeN2eAQZ9_km0ocQLQ_YJUrUytptZ_0_5PKY/s400/sigh.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564352712566461122" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I assumed that the xray would look something like this, we would know where the necklace was, and that we would come up with a plan to get it back.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilwt6MsVCZL0f4ggk4HaIJefjGfNkxaGTEyQL8Vebjd5BMn2kY7eQOyDg5iaf2tp-IA-4qQY1jfTI52uFgZhA7P0DdDJp1garNSHc3n92hBYyvnTEkwmej-te71JxnnH4p2RjE7EeO1E/s1600/227178994.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilwt6MsVCZL0f4ggk4HaIJefjGfNkxaGTEyQL8Vebjd5BMn2kY7eQOyDg5iaf2tp-IA-4qQY1jfTI52uFgZhA7P0DdDJp1garNSHc3n92hBYyvnTEkwmej-te71JxnnH4p2RjE7EeO1E/s400/227178994.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563929509113988098" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />I was in the exam room closest to the back room where they do xrays, so I got to hear what was going on. After about 15 minutes of what sounded suspiciously like a Benny Hill sketch, Dr. Teti came in to tell me what they saw.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Fortunately and unfortunately, the x-rays show nothing in his little puppy stomach and GI tract (except and lot of gas and poop). Luckily, this means no bowel obstructions or perforations which is great news. The bad news is, either H already passed the pendant and I missed it, or it's somewhere in my house. Fantastic.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br />So, even though on that first day we tore the house apart looking for the pendant, I went home after the vet and looked everywhere else that I could think of. I even got out a flashlight and checked behind furniture. Looked in all of the heat registers. Checked the crack between the carpets and the wall. Drains. Inside shoes in our closet. Under throw rugs. In cushions. Shook out clothes.<br /><br /><br />Didn't find the pendant....but what I did find? The chain of the necklace. AGAIN.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">I had put it up on my dresser (further back this time), but at some point Harper had yoinked it again. And where did I find it? Under the cushion of his dog bed. Are you effing kidding me? This dog is a ninja. So, needless to say, the search continues. If he's smart enough to hide things he knows he's not supposed to have, who knows what he did with the pendant.<br /><br />So here's hoping that someone up there intervenes and I find this thing. St Francis. St Anthony. Dad. One of you guys up there. I do bet that when we do find it, I'll have a whole 'nother story for you guys. Cross your fingers!<br /><br /><br /></span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-61753187064801572622011-01-17T17:59:00.000-08:002011-01-17T17:59:00.227-08:00Martin Luther King Day: The Perfect Excuse to Wield a Machete<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSRyghWYYn5Lqu3EWX52712KqrNJJYw3soNsySk8KaiOl0sIspqBPFk-F6IZJm9OvnkTomDJBkzNQakpK5gNxA8Elc8UcpB9vg_sBHLcbq98QQT4NDE1G32K-HY1LjM7ykS37VxaNLiE/s1600/IMG_0164.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSRyghWYYn5Lqu3EWX52712KqrNJJYw3soNsySk8KaiOl0sIspqBPFk-F6IZJm9OvnkTomDJBkzNQakpK5gNxA8Elc8UcpB9vg_sBHLcbq98QQT4NDE1G32K-HY1LjM7ykS37VxaNLiE/s400/IMG_0164.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563275079067979922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Martin Luther King Day has long been a day when folks get out there and give back to their local community in honor of Dr. King's legacy. My company just happens to do it with a particular flair that's really sort of hard to match. About a week ago, I received this company-wide email from a coworker:<br /><br /></span> </span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3SzP4TfoMARpu-7l0ryExhVLLhSynjIkNYqwD_okj052PIWhjlj4qr2JKrDqu0V9i6w1I2xEojUlLiZgD-VKSvhYJ2aJHxmnyX2Sy3cFEGD0mA7f8vZRSUqIcA86fbknWRYqVR2NkJI/s1600/email.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3SzP4TfoMARpu-7l0ryExhVLLhSynjIkNYqwD_okj052PIWhjlj4qr2JKrDqu0V9i6w1I2xEojUlLiZgD-VKSvhYJ2aJHxmnyX2Sy3cFEGD0mA7f8vZRSUqIcA86fbknWRYqVR2NkJI/s400/email.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563271577909940002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Click to enlarge</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br />I think my status on Facebook from that day really sums up my feelings on this one. Utter bewilderment and a bit of head-shaking.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgpm0sYOoGEy6VwSf7xly1SOWZs2OIU8CXGa_62hHgR1xZwqWwUPKKkvyW_MJduKYbNYacAniR60-Cq0k2ZOZkPDzBnepXh37C_Q6AQIfLC7RYfuwCjGDmEVqWSmfcC4m8CmiJ15bieM/s1600/status.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgpm0sYOoGEy6VwSf7xly1SOWZs2OIU8CXGa_62hHgR1xZwqWwUPKKkvyW_MJduKYbNYacAniR60-Cq0k2ZOZkPDzBnepXh37C_Q6AQIfLC7RYfuwCjGDmEVqWSmfcC4m8CmiJ15bieM/s400/status.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563272904958689570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Click to enlarge.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br />Needless to say, despite the fact that many thought it was some sort of January April Fool's Day prank, it turns out that some of my coworkers really take their MLK Day contribution seriously. A few turned up in duck boots and wellies. Others brought pruning sheers and hacksaws. Larry wore his hat with attached beard.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteD7_PTTXQImsycACmkGxYJUKtrSsT25N-uyMCIjq4YIykrjdXKZ20-DWSwAQHXLzbvM6V1S87yPOV082goTYKgodR8G4LvfMCAYNaMx_O6i8Tsgq4x6ez9ln_nlbvMjpdtfFpOSb1Ug/s1600/hat+beard.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteD7_PTTXQImsycACmkGxYJUKtrSsT25N-uyMCIjq4YIykrjdXKZ20-DWSwAQHXLzbvM6V1S87yPOV082goTYKgodR8G4LvfMCAYNaMx_O6i8Tsgq4x6ez9ln_nlbvMjpdtfFpOSb1Ug/s400/hat+beard.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563273961871509522" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br />Unfortunately, since I'm still getting over being sick, I opted out of sloshing around in half-frozen swamp muck this morning (although I'm starting to really think I would have enjoyed it). I did, however, enjoy some fantastic pictures from coworker, David. Here's a few of his gorgeous shots of some of our happy helpers.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE89lTJlAsG-SoR5R3W2Pbo8pWsp4XfHK0n8AyfnBduQt7WbjNXFhqR3vhJPduloTAR6VD7Qwnj2xyGGddae5YUWbcFIFrI7ENyY6he_3nIKGsnk1gch5Yb5oeFCtm0YFe21o2jM8DfYs/s1600/IMG_0153.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE89lTJlAsG-SoR5R3W2Pbo8pWsp4XfHK0n8AyfnBduQt7WbjNXFhqR3vhJPduloTAR6VD7Qwnj2xyGGddae5YUWbcFIFrI7ENyY6he_3nIKGsnk1gch5Yb5oeFCtm0YFe21o2jM8DfYs/s400/IMG_0153.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563275075272624802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tD4rIpR5uUpREwMdhcelNUTSYWMgTdS-aE5xA96quzp4mDqH_B-4mO3-Ag8B3hrqf4ZIzlpDeAKpiEnj5w6J8J3q0W0o_5AISGEivFrn0DoYT9f-6SNRp1GRO5zcI1TuGVmqQq-tBN4/s1600/IMG_0155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tD4rIpR5uUpREwMdhcelNUTSYWMgTdS-aE5xA96quzp4mDqH_B-4mO3-Ag8B3hrqf4ZIzlpDeAKpiEnj5w6J8J3q0W0o_5AISGEivFrn0DoYT9f-6SNRp1GRO5zcI1TuGVmqQq-tBN4/s400/IMG_0155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563275067942758898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQ4U29sIQI5uys6Nkd4NyZuWrSisnA0CmP5NcSHGqUNu95W4UCNA21jhWa21A_UqCWsD8fXHkvzYz44Loa0FKi4i5adve0ANZJtYtF1mn6mkmQYFxHRvs9uT3D5I8IusUCe9M9fr9b0c/s1600/IMG_0132.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQ4U29sIQI5uys6Nkd4NyZuWrSisnA0CmP5NcSHGqUNu95W4UCNA21jhWa21A_UqCWsD8fXHkvzYz44Loa0FKi4i5adve0ANZJtYtF1mn6mkmQYFxHRvs9uT3D5I8IusUCe9M9fr9b0c/s400/IMG_0132.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563275055786383250" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-57363353118455748412011-01-16T07:41:00.000-08:002011-01-16T19:13:48.603-08:00Old Memories Made New Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUowX4HPXdPZVfB_qDhf6uQbeFjI_UVyjkAqjeL8WN9_9UUuggA6olV8KEpCCXhS67LLPO1ssZ28QzPeqr0frjR4HrQXzWng3A1Iol67ws2I3eme53r1IEaMLWTxnLMX15Y-K5O7Le5Eo/s1600/IMG_20110113_113225.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUowX4HPXdPZVfB_qDhf6uQbeFjI_UVyjkAqjeL8WN9_9UUuggA6olV8KEpCCXhS67LLPO1ssZ28QzPeqr0frjR4HrQXzWng3A1Iol67ws2I3eme53r1IEaMLWTxnLMX15Y-K5O7Le5Eo/s400/IMG_20110113_113225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561709561732616146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">For Mom's birthday this year, I was having trouble coming up with something to get her. Recently, Mom pulled out her old photo albums that have her childhood pictures in them and was looking specifically for ones of her and her grandfather. There aren't many because according to her, her Pop Pop was always the one behind the camera snapping Polaroids of family events. Luckily there are a few, although they're not in great shape and are relatively small, unclear images.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wAY6KWhCMjIJfL-TidudE8M_oZUtCYN6F4jLjI8X6FJiGO3ycA6_84c-SYDYIKaMbGVwNnN4D0efE-fEpXrKgfanSzK4TFjfhyphenhyphenhbelKWxv6lHEBU8qjy25R29TJqEL0VfhVcQwhwzYQ/s1600/Annie+Image+%25233.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wAY6KWhCMjIJfL-TidudE8M_oZUtCYN6F4jLjI8X6FJiGO3ycA6_84c-SYDYIKaMbGVwNnN4D0efE-fEpXrKgfanSzK4TFjfhyphenhyphenhbelKWxv6lHEBU8qjy25R29TJqEL0VfhVcQwhwzYQ/s400/Annie+Image+%25233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561707242380483058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAls7fhNrZoNwD3erBz40ehCcoRRhQScQrsMCQyxhUvlNCyBtUTkmgG9QqWJ5Fvl5LWM7N5aCQ1ErHUGc3ODAJ_GBYM5rvprh9sKmXMN1av0-SfJpBWgEH4mJ26Xgnuzg0fu5K65N_bhM/s1600/Annie+Image+%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAls7fhNrZoNwD3erBz40ehCcoRRhQScQrsMCQyxhUvlNCyBtUTkmgG9QqWJ5Fvl5LWM7N5aCQ1ErHUGc3ODAJ_GBYM5rvprh9sKmXMN1av0-SfJpBWgEH4mJ26Xgnuzg0fu5K65N_bhM/s400/Annie+Image+%25232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561707241827779682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk0zLXBi3Fe1ipVbUU4srrwB09hdYk6xl3EIcQnFwEXM9oi15M-4RycRnZJuTkaSWemaeh64FUgDcwf8F6ZAYrOKhqF0Y1LurpPGmRYKNpQev_65WJrBPKOZvY-IdffQzg8KHdKWunGQ/s1600/Annie+Image+%25231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk0zLXBi3Fe1ipVbUU4srrwB09hdYk6xl3EIcQnFwEXM9oi15M-4RycRnZJuTkaSWemaeh64FUgDcwf8F6ZAYrOKhqF0Y1LurpPGmRYKNpQev_65WJrBPKOZvY-IdffQzg8KHdKWunGQ/s400/Annie+Image+%25231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561707231958498978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />So, after uploading them as TIF files, Larry took a look at them. As you can see, he fixed up the color issue on the color photo, removed scratches, and did the best he could where the photo had rubbed away from scrapbook glue damage on the third image. I took the photos below, converted the color to black and white so that they matched, and had them printed as 4x6 photos — which was a bit larger than the originals.<br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhlvcQgMs7OeTksiR_2NoiX99Tk1sGpKEL7H9TckCwjc7tvEYV7CgkX-RUUvkCsYjFEjZGxI-YYMZoITh8TxojE2PoE7eDeSfnUP8n1wQjUjVTH2bXi0z8TmReK4xBzkc7fcOML8zqlc/s1600/Annie+Image+%25233.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhlvcQgMs7OeTksiR_2NoiX99Tk1sGpKEL7H9TckCwjc7tvEYV7CgkX-RUUvkCsYjFEjZGxI-YYMZoITh8TxojE2PoE7eDeSfnUP8n1wQjUjVTH2bXi0z8TmReK4xBzkc7fcOML8zqlc/s400/Annie+Image+%25233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561701791144043058" border="0" /></a> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCAqq9C-JIPgT5swla9c-W7dDuIqSw2Lr0AT3s2YN_QjW2iCz6VJFRtByw17TkWlX5n36tkUtfrWTlRapLT1YmTDLLDBg8aSiaoSt39aEV4xA1v6lzmGN8ybgAROr5PuD7vl9d_kRFE0/s1600/Annie+Image+%25232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCAqq9C-JIPgT5swla9c-W7dDuIqSw2Lr0AT3s2YN_QjW2iCz6VJFRtByw17TkWlX5n36tkUtfrWTlRapLT1YmTDLLDBg8aSiaoSt39aEV4xA1v6lzmGN8ybgAROr5PuD7vl9d_kRFE0/s400/Annie+Image+%25232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561701787001134962" border="0" /></a> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVk_L_-rbyjODuGPBYOQA_Rs9ltTPdG48fa4L0WrvX11OvXyfaRzrcbdhUF17UAzTqm0pYfQ-8NyFKFhpDQ-UvN1qxRuSAd3AZkQDxx6YZEL6zfZuyeKw8Yut7BRURLLFwPYUuH88MnI/s1600/Annie+Image+%25231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVk_L_-rbyjODuGPBYOQA_Rs9ltTPdG48fa4L0WrvX11OvXyfaRzrcbdhUF17UAzTqm0pYfQ-8NyFKFhpDQ-UvN1qxRuSAd3AZkQDxx6YZEL6zfZuyeKw8Yut7BRURLLFwPYUuH88MnI/s400/Annie+Image+%25231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561701782377259794" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Then I bought a collage frame and added matting to create a really nice keepsake. Mom was already planning to make a shadow box in honor of her grandfather, so I figured this would make a nice addition.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hdbCjWED6OVLw_YLO0ylv3E3vWtSV8D2jau9cbyfuzNDs5utSbRYz3HDoiwuCY5VaMYp8YQahaML8shk47aBMz8rxzzP_uVhb-W_RlloFgDOxZvxeIgy-EccCWy7BujoXh3FAlvLzZ8/s1600/CIMG1967.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHb14N6jQOCERwcKJ0uhyWR4yPTkKdoKQFWCLhY_dfahEJnRyaSHqayGj0e-IyyEj3EzPUqK3gDgdgiEVysO-ApUErlkCnAT8str3dhFktFn87b48r-WNwrM9hk0iUBp1HJXf5XT6hCE/s1600/CIMG1962.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHb14N6jQOCERwcKJ0uhyWR4yPTkKdoKQFWCLhY_dfahEJnRyaSHqayGj0e-IyyEj3EzPUqK3gDgdgiEVysO-ApUErlkCnAT8str3dhFktFn87b48r-WNwrM9hk0iUBp1HJXf5XT6hCE/s400/CIMG1962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562986771722148242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNtrlnTpoyNTOsTq9HfqFoQK2VktPnAfrXT_ODubmaKoWovZMiDI_xyRlIZXSI8feQM8nc66JaouxgnF6OLKrmE4NRywBHaRLy97gw1aUOP_XzyWzrHo2nhKeU9gl2FdGRbY4Qie-zDw/s1600/CIMG1960.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNtrlnTpoyNTOsTq9HfqFoQK2VktPnAfrXT_ODubmaKoWovZMiDI_xyRlIZXSI8feQM8nc66JaouxgnF6OLKrmE4NRywBHaRLy97gw1aUOP_XzyWzrHo2nhKeU9gl2FdGRbY4Qie-zDw/s400/CIMG1960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562986766201659218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlPsOjC2SobIpc2SfHW8NXn7fNXyAky0OSv_1AIzG8gwNKHMpIPlSZkhYsQSubAFLYodvlXWW9lsDAz-eYR-L_KsGuxBJP71OeUQiKPpcETsGKRANgVVHkVcfm44ahD2YGL2nKW1iihs/s1600/CIMG1955.JPG"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-83897874169332983712011-01-14T19:08:00.000-08:002011-01-16T19:14:54.837-08:00Happy Birthday Mom!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hdbCjWED6OVLw_YLO0ylv3E3vWtSV8D2jau9cbyfuzNDs5utSbRYz3HDoiwuCY5VaMYp8YQahaML8shk47aBMz8rxzzP_uVhb-W_RlloFgDOxZvxeIgy-EccCWy7BujoXh3FAlvLzZ8/s1600/CIMG1967.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hdbCjWED6OVLw_YLO0ylv3E3vWtSV8D2jau9cbyfuzNDs5utSbRYz3HDoiwuCY5VaMYp8YQahaML8shk47aBMz8rxzzP_uVhb-W_RlloFgDOxZvxeIgy-EccCWy7BujoXh3FAlvLzZ8/s400/CIMG1967.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562986964126788162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgqC0C0MpjpwSJwhXRRZDRJ7y81MQNy5UGrE0PZzqZpZ06bU0soacIxKOgsScZpxfVWYA0uIvXcMNeb5T3Lv1DTj3YhYB6T-ZQrEmEOmU6Odt63wo4SI2652dB5p_qohGBdRyS-Ki6Us/s1600/CIMG1963.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgqC0C0MpjpwSJwhXRRZDRJ7y81MQNy5UGrE0PZzqZpZ06bU0soacIxKOgsScZpxfVWYA0uIvXcMNeb5T3Lv1DTj3YhYB6T-ZQrEmEOmU6Odt63wo4SI2652dB5p_qohGBdRyS-Ki6Us/s400/CIMG1963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562986780489106770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHb14N6jQOCERwcKJ0uhyWR4yPTkKdoKQFWCLhY_dfahEJnRyaSHqayGj0e-IyyEj3EzPUqK3gDgdgiEVysO-ApUErlkCnAT8str3dhFktFn87b48r-WNwrM9hk0iUBp1HJXf5XT6hCE/s1600/CIMG1962.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHb14N6jQOCERwcKJ0uhyWR4yPTkKdoKQFWCLhY_dfahEJnRyaSHqayGj0e-IyyEj3EzPUqK3gDgdgiEVysO-ApUErlkCnAT8str3dhFktFn87b48r-WNwrM9hk0iUBp1HJXf5XT6hCE/s400/CIMG1962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562986771722148242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNtrlnTpoyNTOsTq9HfqFoQK2VktPnAfrXT_ODubmaKoWovZMiDI_xyRlIZXSI8feQM8nc66JaouxgnF6OLKrmE4NRywBHaRLy97gw1aUOP_XzyWzrHo2nhKeU9gl2FdGRbY4Qie-zDw/s1600/CIMG1960.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNtrlnTpoyNTOsTq9HfqFoQK2VktPnAfrXT_ODubmaKoWovZMiDI_xyRlIZXSI8feQM8nc66JaouxgnF6OLKrmE4NRywBHaRLy97gw1aUOP_XzyWzrHo2nhKeU9gl2FdGRbY4Qie-zDw/s400/CIMG1960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562986766201659218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMOUv0xhSovQgbpG6qIMVXA2xHBKyuw6AiJDKTwYpxPdbjvlFEkVXZAco6S66tqyHYBt-F-xHMnTt7mHT2h1PWvMW4yoA6UYcbEMZKCzeL0XQa_1hsQUtUjA-VcN9leYp2xBI4AO-K9o/s1600/CIMG1956.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMOUv0xhSovQgbpG6qIMVXA2xHBKyuw6AiJDKTwYpxPdbjvlFEkVXZAco6S66tqyHYBt-F-xHMnTt7mHT2h1PWvMW4yoA6UYcbEMZKCzeL0XQa_1hsQUtUjA-VcN9leYp2xBI4AO-K9o/s400/CIMG1956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562986762558865602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlPsOjC2SobIpc2SfHW8NXn7fNXyAky0OSv_1AIzG8gwNKHMpIPlSZkhYsQSubAFLYodvlXWW9lsDAz-eYR-L_KsGuxBJP71OeUQiKPpcETsGKRANgVVHkVcfm44ahD2YGL2nKW1iihs/s1600/CIMG1955.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlPsOjC2SobIpc2SfHW8NXn7fNXyAky0OSv_1AIzG8gwNKHMpIPlSZkhYsQSubAFLYodvlXWW9lsDAz-eYR-L_KsGuxBJP71OeUQiKPpcETsGKRANgVVHkVcfm44ahD2YGL2nKW1iihs/s400/CIMG1955.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562986757015244658" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-71045901076854653562011-01-11T19:11:00.000-08:002011-01-12T09:12:32.194-08:00UGGs = A Healthy Balance of Self Loathing and Ridiculous Comfort<span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:78%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" > </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >I've been avoiding the UGGs trend since I saw my first pair out in California in summer 2004. That was also the first time I ever saw UGGs worn with a skirt in warm weather. I vowed that I would never EVER be caught dead in such ugly boots.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YPFjEFO-Qk9CUbpkE1j-JleX2Ev2NTs9ZiCwBcEG98RiBCDKKWWvLoCJg_99S8vC5mSupB8Z815huX6YEqAiQ3GD6cmVFI-TJoDLvvkMYNi7zfk7iPXDVg0pYLwTMAutZazSk0N39H0/s1600/no+uggs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YPFjEFO-Qk9CUbpkE1j-JleX2Ev2NTs9ZiCwBcEG98RiBCDKKWWvLoCJg_99S8vC5mSupB8Z815huX6YEqAiQ3GD6cmVFI-TJoDLvvkMYNi7zfk7iPXDVg0pYLwTMAutZazSk0N39H0/s400/no+uggs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561317962005214034" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" > </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >Then after that fateful summer, I went to Delaware for my first year of college, and every single sorority girl for miles was wearing the Greek uniform: Northface fleece, leggings, ribbons around their ponytail, popped collared shirt, pearls, and of course, UGGs. Actually, more common at Delaware was the combination of PINK brand sweatpants (that never actually were pink) and the boots.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9lMD4L4xnajjrouf1z6l90W_9OxQJZXjeWgJzhJvvtkTql0K34NWy3icxtEicrAMMU5QPAPnhdFF39rrfXoMbgn5izOCFV6nWOpKYcMFCegWFPWvvZn8YlcyEZpP4SQXoRzeHeK3nM0/s1600/pink.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9lMD4L4xnajjrouf1z6l90W_9OxQJZXjeWgJzhJvvtkTql0K34NWy3icxtEicrAMMU5QPAPnhdFF39rrfXoMbgn5izOCFV6nWOpKYcMFCegWFPWvvZn8YlcyEZpP4SQXoRzeHeK3nM0/s400/pink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561322278179418210" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And while we're talking about things that just don't work, lets talk about this whole leggings as pants thing. This is another thing that is not acceptable with or without UGGs.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIkyPd_xbFvKBOgUGiXGY-O3XCb-Ow_WqyZUXuucLO3_kjzWwv7mZ3_e8V-3FpxPlV4nuDW5yt90gpDHVuP4mvuvgqruZOBaIGfLJf55U8QpVG-arZUX9i-KTUmfwNMwowubbTMjQD8Y/s1600/leggings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIkyPd_xbFvKBOgUGiXGY-O3XCb-Ow_WqyZUXuucLO3_kjzWwv7mZ3_e8V-3FpxPlV4nuDW5yt90gpDHVuP4mvuvgqruZOBaIGfLJf55U8QpVG-arZUX9i-KTUmfwNMwowubbTMjQD8Y/s400/leggings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561342986948327778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Actually, there is an entire website devoted to why leggings are not pants. If you think that leggings are acceptable to wear with short shirts, check out <a face="verdana" href="http://www.tightsarenotpants.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">www.tightsarenotpants.com</span></a>. You can thank me later for saving you from yourself.<br /><br /><br />Alright, back to the UGGs. So I vowed never to do it. Well, that was until Jenna came and stayed over and left her shoes by the door. I threw them on to take the dog out and couldn't believe how comfortable the damn things were. Like slippers, but warmer.<br /><br />So here we are in 2011 and I now shamefully own a pair of Bearpaw knock off UGGs. I will say that I did not pay over $40 for them which makes me feel slightly less sick to my stomach, but just the thought of having something in common with a bunch of orange, duck-faced, Jersey Shore wannabes does pinken my cheeks in shame just a little.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:78%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40LHKbQcxsOtAf-2sRAYFDdfYRfkRx6o4p9zhC9_4HbJXH5TFpYSxZp7CkX9jZTcUSex9vXqiJVPF6cRwxkXu5SoRkQMHoEUF9Yl3GpKMvCslsJtFoYpo_iJxrPaMnld-nW3hQFgm69s/s1600/duckface.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40LHKbQcxsOtAf-2sRAYFDdfYRfkRx6o4p9zhC9_4HbJXH5TFpYSxZp7CkX9jZTcUSex9vXqiJVPF6cRwxkXu5SoRkQMHoEUF9Yl3GpKMvCslsJtFoYpo_iJxrPaMnld-nW3hQFgm69s/s400/duckface.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561345067265180386" border="0" /></a>So, in light of my new boots, here are a few self-imposed rules to keep me from totally sliding into the black hole of popular culture:<br /><br /></span><ol style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Only wear boots when it's below 40 degrees</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Don't wear boots with dress clothes or skirts</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Don't wear boots with leggings</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Avoid sunless tanner like the plague<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Don't wear PINK sweatpants out of the house...EVER</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Don't wear pearls with boots</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Don't make friends with the cast of Jersey Shore</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Don't tuck jeans into boots</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Don't tease or poof hair while wearing boots</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Don't give anyone any reason to compare you to Snooki while wearing boots<br /></span></li></ol><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-4558049528013170862011-01-05T21:52:00.000-08:002011-01-06T09:56:14.708-08:00What? I Can't Change My Mind?<span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yeah. So. Turns out I'm not a big fan of chiffon in person. Changing it up to Euro Satin but sticking with the navy blue.<br /><br />Unfortunately these dress choices don't look like they're all the same color, but the dresses are in person. Here's the new bridesmaid dress choices. Check out billlevkoff.com for more details.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRyUb33oa9k9d5FPs0_DCRUGpMwWFx2KxFLxUHN2MYMZcdGBNMvv5UHzrvT1Px7w02eR1ZLjHWCpzuFDyIM_M9cBr-snm6gH9_SctzNn_nb4tdlIV20qa5XTjrbbBUst6O1z8IzTVBiU/s1600/6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 391px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRyUb33oa9k9d5FPs0_DCRUGpMwWFx2KxFLxUHN2MYMZcdGBNMvv5UHzrvT1Px7w02eR1ZLjHWCpzuFDyIM_M9cBr-snm6gH9_SctzNn_nb4tdlIV20qa5XTjrbbBUst6O1z8IzTVBiU/s400/6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559132929219359186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGo406ymFS8WlXByOWaz-Ygjqu3wkcpyxq5UGM-oDwkXMGT7bK-ogwv0rxca21HG3qc_lZk5-ic2jzy3Ez_ZKEXIxJslOqcn-9T18xLyMkcA7y21wGVytqYqP_X0uiLva-teCbtjKBBc/s1600/5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGo406ymFS8WlXByOWaz-Ygjqu3wkcpyxq5UGM-oDwkXMGT7bK-ogwv0rxca21HG3qc_lZk5-ic2jzy3Ez_ZKEXIxJslOqcn-9T18xLyMkcA7y21wGVytqYqP_X0uiLva-teCbtjKBBc/s400/5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559132883854245074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL27NHhnFPE3nvVeSRuiaWv9VxAM3Zw75mztoKON8RRs7AOEOsmjRHfBXAbbGI4HKrURdRTlrF2ilZmv7dU8r0fdbkP-4cFM50fLGM28D4V31wlXe8o23_UHzt_WsPLbY6F63AykIMFZs/s1600/4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL27NHhnFPE3nvVeSRuiaWv9VxAM3Zw75mztoKON8RRs7AOEOsmjRHfBXAbbGI4HKrURdRTlrF2ilZmv7dU8r0fdbkP-4cFM50fLGM28D4V31wlXe8o23_UHzt_WsPLbY6F63AykIMFZs/s400/4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559132883041194834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT91DHPZSu3kYbI5Wc1rgqxe0xtg0bPXkaoe32l33fE1MQV661sfpvY5uIV__-9l41t441me6Aaf6ur22IprhbF5Gwdzmwa_ruYMvz_xC6i26VetvZ0XxzytfzmxwDNd9TyMtQxL7mALg/s1600/3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT91DHPZSu3kYbI5Wc1rgqxe0xtg0bPXkaoe32l33fE1MQV661sfpvY5uIV__-9l41t441me6Aaf6ur22IprhbF5Gwdzmwa_ruYMvz_xC6i26VetvZ0XxzytfzmxwDNd9TyMtQxL7mALg/s400/3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559132877664677314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKGhXhtiIa87zJA13COw__q1LMWLDaCIybzw7z86Jg3gxJpUcPqmdIz6HqtaVsTaGq03fv5WXSb46eFrt22Dqy0jDIEuWGXHh_Objf3WJPjCdUZE9c6nkA7vYQWWYEw5mcrTV3i3PtzM/s1600/2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKGhXhtiIa87zJA13COw__q1LMWLDaCIybzw7z86Jg3gxJpUcPqmdIz6HqtaVsTaGq03fv5WXSb46eFrt22Dqy0jDIEuWGXHh_Objf3WJPjCdUZE9c6nkA7vYQWWYEw5mcrTV3i3PtzM/s400/2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559132880883751378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLGzhez8yC_AUwFAfiy_2xDBjKaqZfOrNgW8J75lWnBpHhuo-M4Ir51mknzKO60P7ote-LeWWTd_Pe6VJerSNBXvXse-QMhWpZLCWa9xTrj8hbJ3gezqv2nLpjE94StHs3Kf5Vi__Q1E/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLGzhez8yC_AUwFAfiy_2xDBjKaqZfOrNgW8J75lWnBpHhuo-M4Ir51mknzKO60P7ote-LeWWTd_Pe6VJerSNBXvXse-QMhWpZLCWa9xTrj8hbJ3gezqv2nLpjE94StHs3Kf5Vi__Q1E/s400/1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559132875734260962" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-79766260123792874952011-01-04T21:51:00.000-08:002011-01-05T11:56:08.172-08:00Books, Books, Books<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfyD7lvXyLHEIbQ-OoNr4UgnkkTkOEIRWUzT8btdYI__Tvn5UKZPH1LHAYEprYEWxipMM1vXkn3nGXeqOyAzvyIpUNLGJ4wuLy9vI03t6Vlk-HCLHWb22iFWA9Xo9OTsPblDi4Tkwiqc/s1600/librarian.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfyD7lvXyLHEIbQ-OoNr4UgnkkTkOEIRWUzT8btdYI__Tvn5UKZPH1LHAYEprYEWxipMM1vXkn3nGXeqOyAzvyIpUNLGJ4wuLy9vI03t6Vlk-HCLHWb22iFWA9Xo9OTsPblDi4Tkwiqc/s400/librarian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558792928721717682" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >My plan was originally to write a nice little paragraph about each of these books and why I love them so much, but a nice little paragraph turned into about 4 pages for the first selection.<br /><br />So to save you from my ramblings, I've decided just to put up a list of some of my recent favorite books. As you can see, when I find an author I like, I tend to read everything they've written. Also, I have a soft spot for historical fiction. Below that is my stuff to read lists. As always, if you have other suggestions for my "to read" list, please comment below.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br />Books I've Read, Loved, and Will Read Again Numerous Times:<br /><br /></span> </span><ul><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Her Fearful Symmetry</span> - Audrey Niffenegger</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Time Traveler's Wife</span> - Audrey Niffenegger</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Pillars of the Earth</span> - Ken Follett</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Murderer's Daughters</span> - Randy Susan Myers</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Bone Garden</span> - Tess Gerritsen</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Red Tent</span> - Anita Diamant</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The House at Riverton</span> - Kate Morton</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Distant Hours</span> - Kate Morton</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Forgotten Garden</span> - Kate Morton</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Sarah's Key</span> - Tatiana de Rosnay</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">A Secret Kept</span> - Tatiana de Rosnay</span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Books That I Have at Home Waiting to Be Read:<br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><ul><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime</span> - Mark Haddon</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Bonesetter's Daughter</span> - Amy Tan</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Kitchen God's Wife</span> - Amy Tan</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Devil in the White City</span> - Erik Larson</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Dante Club</span> - Matthew Pearl</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Water for Elephants</span> - Sara Gruen</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Reading Lolita in Tehran</span> - Azar Nafisi</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wicked</span> - Gregory McGuire</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cider House Rules</span> - John Irving</span></span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Graveyard Book</span> - Neil Gaiman</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Everything is Illuminated</span> - Jonathan Safran Foer</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Help</span> - Kathryn Stockett</span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Books From Authors That I Love and Can't Wait to Read More Of:</span><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><ul><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Gravity</span> - Tess Gerritsen</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Keys to Rebecca</span> - Ken Follett</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > <span style="font-style: italic;">World Without End</span> - Ken Follett</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Sacred Hearts</span> - Sarah Dunant</span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Suggestions from Friends On My To Read List:</span><br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Nineteenth Wife</span> - David Ebershoff</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Book Thief</span> - Markus Zusak</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Brightest Star in the Sky</span> - Marian Keyes</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">By Nightfall</span> - Michael Cunningham</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">C</span> - Tom McCarthy</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius</span> - Dave Eggers</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Historian</span> - Elizabeth Kostova</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet</span> - Jamie Ford</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Hummingbird's Daughter</span> - Luis Alberto Urrea</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Lemon Tree</span> - Sandy Tolan</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Reader</span> - Bernhard Schlink</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">A Reliable Wife</span> - Robert Goolrick</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Room</span> - Emma Donoghue</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Zookeepers Wife</span> - Diane Ackerman</span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-61085295630151616562011-01-02T18:21:00.000-08:002011-01-03T06:48:40.049-08:00New Year's Resolutions<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >Ten may seem like a lot, but I feel like these are at least realistic goals.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYWgJ2yvOe16BMMdVbF6iHATs-ZoDJP-R2PFIoE5XgyxhRTxdUZVP6v8kZhxd-CeVssYnPpmh20uSWsgmsnHbuULAStObIXG6KHFLYTiXWci-0G0MPfbCLMjPCRKvlfHZMIeljG6lLXM/s1600/calvin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYWgJ2yvOe16BMMdVbF6iHATs-ZoDJP-R2PFIoE5XgyxhRTxdUZVP6v8kZhxd-CeVssYnPpmh20uSWsgmsnHbuULAStObIXG6KHFLYTiXWci-0G0MPfbCLMjPCRKvlfHZMIeljG6lLXM/s400/calvin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557971318127854018" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Remember to take at least a multi-vitamin every day.</span> I'm so bad at this. I have a daily reminder on my phone now, so hopefully that will get me in the habit.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Eat protein instead of crap for breakfast. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">I tend to eat better, feel more full, am generally more alert, and am in a better mood on days where I start with protein instead of carbs, so why not just try to do that all the time? Not saying that Dunkin or Wawa won't call my name sometimes, but I'll try to stick to my Chobani yogurt or an egg most days.</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Exercise more regularly instead of in fits and starts.</span> I have a tendency to exercise for a while and then when I get where I want to be, my workouts taper off into nonexistence because I'm too busy, too lazy, or making some other excuse. It's so much harder to get started again once you're up a few pounds and your body isn't used to exercising. This year, I'm going to try to at least maintain a day or two a week when I'm not in my uber-crazy fitness mode, which I think is realistic.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Get stuff at the grocery store that is both healthy and that I like and will eat.</span> I, like a lot of people, have a tendency to set myself up for failure when it comes to grocery shopping and cooking. Sometimes i get all excited about eating right and I buy stuff for five meals and only end up cooking 2 of them, and wasting or half-assing recipes with the rest of the ingredients. It's either that or I go ahead and buy crap and then eat that instead of something that would be better for me. This year I'm going to try doing smaller grocery store trips and getting ingredients for 1 or 2 meals at a time, and planning for meals with ingredients that keep for longer. Not saying there won't be cookies and goodies too, but if there's good, healthy stuff around, I will be more likely to eat that.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Be more aware of what I'm eating and drinking.</span> Sure that beer after work is fantastic, but I've gotten myself in trouble these last few months with wine or beer after work along with 3 cups of coffee with cream and sugar during the day.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Find ways to destress and use them.</span> It appears yoga and the old standard reading in the bath are first on my list for this year. Other suggestions are appreciated.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Let stuff go.</span> No one cares if my house is OCD clean to my specifications or if the laundry is done. Let it go sometimes and get back to that whole number six thing.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Read more. </span>I have at least a dozen books sitting in my room that i want to read. There's something to be said for turning off the tv sometimes and snuggling up with a warm puppy and a good book. Add that to number six.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Make an effort to spend time and keep up with friends.</span> This year has seemed really hard as far as keeping up with friends. College is over. It takes a concerted effort to keep up. We're all busy. Blah blah blah. Here's to at least a few emails to see how folks are doing. Maybe that will lead to dinners and visits, but I'll start small.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br />Don't let wedding drama take over my life. </span>Enough said.<br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-49612357799857449352010-12-21T23:48:00.000-08:002010-12-22T12:22:39.037-08:00Wedding Favors<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >I've gone through quite a few ideas for wedding favors (the top of the list still being mini bottles of homemade limoncello and vodka for the Italian and Polish sides respectively), but with our budget in mind, I think I've come up with a perfect compromise that is still very "us." I know that everyone does wedding CDs, but here's what I propose: a cd of a capella versions of all of the songs that are most meaningful to Alex and I.<br /><br />Makes sense. Alex was in an a capella group for many years. I'm pretty musically inclined. We're having an a capella group at both the ceremony and performing at the reception. So here's what I'm thinking.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" > Glassine CD envelopes lined with scrapbook paper and a belly band held in place with a personalized sticker. Et Voila!</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUJe9lBEVYDskfyE0HSRUu7c0XOYOOb78Po5KqRkHWyKX4ye_ElfbbAbIpDJ1yre1ZHcwvZVmYn5xy_PYV5TAKndtRG7MFeuc4p2qsaROB0pYpuiB_2vhueQRg4H2WDpfqp2-RGqChKE/s1600/envelopes.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUJe9lBEVYDskfyE0HSRUu7c0XOYOOb78Po5KqRkHWyKX4ye_ElfbbAbIpDJ1yre1ZHcwvZVmYn5xy_PYV5TAKndtRG7MFeuc4p2qsaROB0pYpuiB_2vhueQRg4H2WDpfqp2-RGqChKE/s400/envelopes.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553598740990720258" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><br /><br /><br />The most difficult part of this endeavor (aside from burning over 150 cds) is getting a perfect sticker. I, of course, went running to the talented art department at work and enlisted the help of Ms. Jen Mendoza, artist extraordinaire. In no time flat, she had come up with all of these!<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfLpaQ7YbFEPkbfnFDcGfzOCGBwo_oObrkE6yZCR3QRgzeu9OP1ot1NOTZsxI8VNSQzXrsrMWTnWlrnmB797UmONau9wpjCJcMidHGiRiddpBei7XzFRVh2a8mEVJD0BurXaiaAjNPRQ/s1600/stickers.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfLpaQ7YbFEPkbfnFDcGfzOCGBwo_oObrkE6yZCR3QRgzeu9OP1ot1NOTZsxI8VNSQzXrsrMWTnWlrnmB797UmONau9wpjCJcMidHGiRiddpBei7XzFRVh2a8mEVJD0BurXaiaAjNPRQ/s400/stickers.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553603719476385634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><br />I chose my very favorite, tweaked the layout of the date a bit, and sent them off to be printed. Hopefully they will be delivered in time for maid of honor, Jenna, and I to get a few of them together during her visit next week!<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uxizfEB4srWkF6oHwo4hmm11l2q0UNZbp6bpG6m6eQ2dGV1Ay_0H4ZbJrc97OlAgxar-t6cCEXPCKubpOaJHxSygS-trfkCOsmG2wWXLmFA1Z_dpUJjbp47KEF8BigZofGf72ImSWuM/s1600/final+sticker.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uxizfEB4srWkF6oHwo4hmm11l2q0UNZbp6bpG6m6eQ2dGV1Ay_0H4ZbJrc97OlAgxar-t6cCEXPCKubpOaJHxSygS-trfkCOsmG2wWXLmFA1Z_dpUJjbp47KEF8BigZofGf72ImSWuM/s400/final+sticker.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553603715861625202" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><br />So now that I've spent some time at the craft store picking out the envelopes, paper, and ribbons, all I need to do is come up with a playlist, burn some CDs, and put them together. My current playlist ideas include: </span><ul style="font-family:verdana;"><li><span style="font-size:78%;">I've Just Seen a Face - Beatles<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Hey Jude - Beatles<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">In My Life - Beatles<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">God Only Knows - The Beach Boys</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:78%;"><o:p style="font-family: verdana;"></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >Speaking of wedding planning, I checked with The Knot to see how I was coming along on their "official bridal checklist" and was thrilled to see that I have successfully accomplished 41 tasks! That was until I saw that there were 142 left to accomplish...Whew!<br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-65168701946385941062010-12-20T23:41:00.000-08:002010-12-22T12:21:32.956-08:00Save The Dates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICYi7LXJ3Et5-_xyPCMjWamKjxu-fs5avOqttTHJ5mGDdrZfE9nBWTSatAxamwqc05LK-CyqFaCl-5oq1g0ZWu176Pbuh4t93iCDn6kkYceemZ50jEIuN3haYa302sZUF8INK3r8LP10/s1600/save.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICYi7LXJ3Et5-_xyPCMjWamKjxu-fs5avOqttTHJ5mGDdrZfE9nBWTSatAxamwqc05LK-CyqFaCl-5oq1g0ZWu176Pbuh4t93iCDn6kkYceemZ50jEIuN3haYa302sZUF8INK3r8LP10/s400/save.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553595097003172306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The above ended up being the final (and fiscally responsible) choice for Save the Date cards, but I think I created 20 of them by the time I was finished. Here's a few of the contenders.</span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OcBEQ5lenRAsDLP-0CftydtPX8z9AtBFJkz4B6l5T083MIGHGS9cjBF3DjFo1RmqDx5vo6N2kAUAodn2vtODkBMqaRuOKhaZjZehdrELtmAZfMLmZI7M_zcTbepz42q1O8eujkuEE88/s1600/save+the+date+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OcBEQ5lenRAsDLP-0CftydtPX8z9AtBFJkz4B6l5T083MIGHGS9cjBF3DjFo1RmqDx5vo6N2kAUAodn2vtODkBMqaRuOKhaZjZehdrELtmAZfMLmZI7M_zcTbepz42q1O8eujkuEE88/s400/save+the+date+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553594896157219250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR66ZWI0NSMyj1_pOdCQrAzCfWWFnRokqPOhOxVhH07rGm9aQ1FVads0BYUh2AqCxYx7EInpcqVVSIVpN1l4EEnXjFUDRMhV6t0ZRdHagZfUD5CXLxb8KFWmPGLXqt3-mg7ch8OfL6o4/s1600/save+the+date+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR66ZWI0NSMyj1_pOdCQrAzCfWWFnRokqPOhOxVhH07rGm9aQ1FVads0BYUh2AqCxYx7EInpcqVVSIVpN1l4EEnXjFUDRMhV6t0ZRdHagZfUD5CXLxb8KFWmPGLXqt3-mg7ch8OfL6o4/s400/save+the+date+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553594914751410482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa37GpvIlxb_uWzmME83pGp7ONhvDrQ3IjJ1eTcG_piCqqrXH6OkxXaEPRpB6rt1chbznAYoh2sN_UE0huuGfdWl0rUbWlF1nF3PdEMlwxa_0ed7gNr3bHHjLq468HgGoPEz9s0uyZlw/s1600/save+the+date+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa37GpvIlxb_uWzmME83pGp7ONhvDrQ3IjJ1eTcG_piCqqrXH6OkxXaEPRpB6rt1chbznAYoh2sN_UE0huuGfdWl0rUbWlF1nF3PdEMlwxa_0ed7gNr3bHHjLq468HgGoPEz9s0uyZlw/s400/save+the+date+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553594901716244642" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-52919341260528092502010-12-19T19:13:00.000-08:002010-12-22T12:29:27.470-08:00Engagement Photos, Christmas Cards, and Holiday Gifts<span style="font-size:78%;"> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDJhVzdsHVfL2duERflkQGFHc3kbOyoAzKQIDFofjXqXX8SfkUEdyWc-zoa4M3j4Ow4uQUsc2NovfXoVE36ZfiLdSr9BhFbbxdGi5vsaedB_OJqdPTGzqg2s9VcBq2VAgAUpHM2khDs4/s1600/Engagement+Pictures+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDJhVzdsHVfL2duERflkQGFHc3kbOyoAzKQIDFofjXqXX8SfkUEdyWc-zoa4M3j4Ow4uQUsc2NovfXoVE36ZfiLdSr9BhFbbxdGi5vsaedB_OJqdPTGzqg2s9VcBq2VAgAUpHM2khDs4/s400/Engagement+Pictures+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553589942882041330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Now that I've got a few dozen gorgeous </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2445161&id=11304012&l=bd959f73b7"><span style="font-weight: bold;">engagement photos</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> from the talented Mrs. Katie Nagle (<a href="www.knaglephoto.com"><span style="font-weight: bold;">www.knaglephoto.com</span></a>), I feel like I've done nothing but come up with projects to use them in. Our engagement photo session at UD back in November was a great time, and luckily Katie thinks that Alex and I are "cute" and endearing rather than crazy.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJOHcH0kz7pOWOGJFyXBEft0mWwDxewLy5bjP6FhbdmXw6sqB1yl1Ck87tr4scfbXRps0e_1OlbhAnsFQWiC6eSkac5oLzQCO4qoVUy1o8HIX1JPT9y5Ya7WIM54V0bIg9PD8K5Kj6Lo/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJOHcH0kz7pOWOGJFyXBEft0mWwDxewLy5bjP6FhbdmXw6sqB1yl1Ck87tr4scfbXRps0e_1OlbhAnsFQWiC6eSkac5oLzQCO4qoVUy1o8HIX1JPT9y5Ya7WIM54V0bIg9PD8K5Kj6Lo/s400/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553591600242594034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zbKzQBfRkY7z339M59zHiYZRk8bd_HKXZMRqtkFJQnnVUL0nvrL5MGl4uSbPJw0ZrTC0RmIE9fbzrWlIyn6RRRLOEQHvpPE8r5go1cxFypwrl-mNasopTrpaCOdfZMg2gliPtfo0bAk/s1600/Engagement+Pictures+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zbKzQBfRkY7z339M59zHiYZRk8bd_HKXZMRqtkFJQnnVUL0nvrL5MGl4uSbPJw0ZrTC0RmIE9fbzrWlIyn6RRRLOEQHvpPE8r5go1cxFypwrl-mNasopTrpaCOdfZMg2gliPtfo0bAk/s400/Engagement+Pictures+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553589944258026322" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOtTQTdJxjGyKLByrlokceK6uMtVquDcPEtl5V31uFoe6c0ekLo1fIs-yTjxeug6dDqh_GLdConFjJ2jYWNGaok8LxQ8dtlU4kjmZ1QmsIUfqjfMfZ_Z4uvpio1lKcbwcJXstZY8lSAA/s1600/Engagement+Pictures+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOtTQTdJxjGyKLByrlokceK6uMtVquDcPEtl5V31uFoe6c0ekLo1fIs-yTjxeug6dDqh_GLdConFjJ2jYWNGaok8LxQ8dtlU4kjmZ1QmsIUfqjfMfZ_Z4uvpio1lKcbwcJXstZY8lSAA/s400/Engagement+Pictures+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553589950822749762" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Now that the holiday season is upon us, one of the shots with Harper made the cut as our family Christmas card.<br /></span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hHrnBhFv3BMjrPm7mx360F0G2VrCSKic4diKbV32dnyN_4MuanON5GZNMbPRoTzPkaBIUMRWEhDEkQ2NK8YS8sgQl2T9RkgKg0_AAt_GkcA466lTJ-Xtmc1cOUnmt6UqEUFudQqiQBk/s1600/card.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hHrnBhFv3BMjrPm7mx360F0G2VrCSKic4diKbV32dnyN_4MuanON5GZNMbPRoTzPkaBIUMRWEhDEkQ2NK8YS8sgQl2T9RkgKg0_AAt_GkcA466lTJ-Xtmc1cOUnmt6UqEUFudQqiQBk/s400/card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553591778163046530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And these shots are framed and wrapped for my Mom, Alex's Mom, grandparents, and other important family members.<br /><br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtR3DKLR-S_vwlMqbeOtNi03HNQzu32Sw8SFLiSIAZyCFnO7z5UoxQKpiXz28z4ZnmsMhfrU2F-2LuX2OP5Kx1FoqTTW20FXN-q5JVU95rSEaopXyD9AAMJXxFKzy55NADo85TiqWSCw/s1600/23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtR3DKLR-S_vwlMqbeOtNi03HNQzu32Sw8SFLiSIAZyCFnO7z5UoxQKpiXz28z4ZnmsMhfrU2F-2LuX2OP5Kx1FoqTTW20FXN-q5JVU95rSEaopXyD9AAMJXxFKzy55NADo85TiqWSCw/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553592723762590770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVzVzE1LkNpS4DsLQux86d5tTzHBFZuivA5uSLtrBltQlH41JHYV-U2venC8zHC0EQMC9rzHWWoV7ESjT6vUO2xqSCdAhV2ny0khwiDnq2_QcvFetJRo2Xvt853yLFSATHhqS3N4Ofgo/s1600/22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVzVzE1LkNpS4DsLQux86d5tTzHBFZuivA5uSLtrBltQlH41JHYV-U2venC8zHC0EQMC9rzHWWoV7ESjT6vUO2xqSCdAhV2ny0khwiDnq2_QcvFetJRo2Xvt853yLFSATHhqS3N4Ofgo/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553592714166809234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xrm03IznC3KPfd1tPaLHOGhSGi76prVB6l6HLd9mcdMMaX4yw66SC640Wod5R6fYYhFT_S-0gwSeTCJFO_RoYVhMvPVBFdQPEiVvy4nqk4sG47-rKe3JcddC-ejhQPWR01Lf8mjmTw8/s1600/24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xrm03IznC3KPfd1tPaLHOGhSGi76prVB6l6HLd9mcdMMaX4yw66SC640Wod5R6fYYhFT_S-0gwSeTCJFO_RoYVhMvPVBFdQPEiVvy4nqk4sG47-rKe3JcddC-ejhQPWR01Lf8mjmTw8/s400/24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553592732916774002" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />And of course I made a collage for my Mom of these three!<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFVqXZn5BeNScXQhgDtkp8pSygFMpN7yIc15STiTGIjsd4e0vuOJc6bj5Imru-Zm5L1nqPG9zVmL-D11hraOCuQ-AUnaC0Tq-roFa6ALuebQcvPSCqJjSZoHmLlBmZmI-lNydD7YLNss/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFVqXZn5BeNScXQhgDtkp8pSygFMpN7yIc15STiTGIjsd4e0vuOJc6bj5Imru-Zm5L1nqPG9zVmL-D11hraOCuQ-AUnaC0Tq-roFa6ALuebQcvPSCqJjSZoHmLlBmZmI-lNydD7YLNss/s400/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553591610086157682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgx9mvBxfrGI0JOQUur3wNtdXE71AaJtn_21sNBaeRse9ZemPogki_1X0s2J-eh_IPYp4_xBl3EZpbLv-Afs5FFXKG5UzqE39KzCoFhKvpuNqKWyvyOrbUxvg3z5u29dfvlWa7_FFrbQ/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgx9mvBxfrGI0JOQUur3wNtdXE71AaJtn_21sNBaeRse9ZemPogki_1X0s2J-eh_IPYp4_xBl3EZpbLv-Afs5FFXKG5UzqE39KzCoFhKvpuNqKWyvyOrbUxvg3z5u29dfvlWa7_FFrbQ/s400/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553591625312427826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOftV2EEmGbjolzZ7zCupUvl8X4kM9G1_gOT4cS_dKWimxAM_N3QpQuZme1t2UMSgcCzRG8Z4w_7-Vha28-KV5wcGYZRo6y-eoa_h-412RVR3mPKO9U8DxzENy5M8t-xleqnAyiHgzIE/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOftV2EEmGbjolzZ7zCupUvl8X4kM9G1_gOT4cS_dKWimxAM_N3QpQuZme1t2UMSgcCzRG8Z4w_7-Vha28-KV5wcGYZRo6y-eoa_h-412RVR3mPKO9U8DxzENy5M8t-xleqnAyiHgzIE/s400/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553591617376277858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370936945770237324.post-3799800745054703202010-12-07T20:17:00.000-08:002010-12-08T07:12:49.163-08:00Puppy Kindergarten<span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7GK6MxqgfJ3tkR50R2sw5EIFKE2VKUf-K7MXv1I-tGZr2V6hbhXwBtsdJE5TWmqrvK8jLQ21fmJoBgRSM1f2AX4IRJ2anjh1JO_5J2klHTBFJB7TEjJvyGpYL_YnpfCm3dBvjwve4d8/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpG4kTU9h-XpkynbqFpTf3tWyJdntxr3yIFGLC7PlGue5kFNLt7I_I46G2UBnJSUwEa_2GgSqaHkKf24t92OlpU53M9r84nbhSQxvmcJbLpIdrB51d5lpQRaHhCMYp9IIiuM_9aSXjlQ/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpG4kTU9h-XpkynbqFpTf3tWyJdntxr3yIFGLC7PlGue5kFNLt7I_I46G2UBnJSUwEa_2GgSqaHkKf24t92OlpU53M9r84nbhSQxvmcJbLpIdrB51d5lpQRaHhCMYp9IIiuM_9aSXjlQ/s400/IMG_0334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548117162671488290" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Today was a milestone day in the Rizzbanik family. After 5 weeks of tough love, lots of corrections, and a prong collar, Harper graduated puppy class! He did very well and made some new friends in the meantime. Although we are sad we won't be seeing Bailey, Guinness, Doc, Frankie, Penny, Jake, and Spartan every Tuesday now, we are very proud of our little guy.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here's Harper working on "SIT" and "STAY."<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzQyNidPkJnpdL8yTlEcWNjHrN8UZX0Jl3PJ30FYHG6D4s_UhB04nThlhyphenhyphenqfNoo2qmJVmdbdE-A7gE1rwPKKBpyKv07WyutZItw9ZPl_5vCqNGsWYPNjnT9sGGTiCYh9C9X0eBDOKTuY/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzQyNidPkJnpdL8yTlEcWNjHrN8UZX0Jl3PJ30FYHG6D4s_UhB04nThlhyphenhyphenqfNoo2qmJVmdbdE-A7gE1rwPKKBpyKv07WyutZItw9ZPl_5vCqNGsWYPNjnT9sGGTiCYh9C9X0eBDOKTuY/s400/IMG_0317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548116690606065106" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />And here's Harper waiting his turn to work on "COME."</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdoJJPlIGXCbnew3eGi9aR5TWfxJegOPkDGDtASo3jvjKpS0J1EGxLsLGWqsjyiXXKcKXaI-4POZkwnhQ6Glph43CC-J9Y6oTqy8wAFZXhSTROjC5gVfHTtYo_rhzpXefUYszzlTIdlY/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdoJJPlIGXCbnew3eGi9aR5TWfxJegOPkDGDtASo3jvjKpS0J1EGxLsLGWqsjyiXXKcKXaI-4POZkwnhQ6Glph43CC-J9Y6oTqy8wAFZXhSTROjC5gVfHTtYo_rhzpXefUYszzlTIdlY/s400/IMG_0330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548116882489160402" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />And here's Harper receiving his diploma and a kiss from his teacher, Pat Hoffmann. So proud of our little guy!</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7GK6MxqgfJ3tkR50R2sw5EIFKE2VKUf-K7MXv1I-tGZr2V6hbhXwBtsdJE5TWmqrvK8jLQ21fmJoBgRSM1f2AX4IRJ2anjh1JO_5J2klHTBFJB7TEjJvyGpYL_YnpfCm3dBvjwve4d8/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7GK6MxqgfJ3tkR50R2sw5EIFKE2VKUf-K7MXv1I-tGZr2V6hbhXwBtsdJE5TWmqrvK8jLQ21fmJoBgRSM1f2AX4IRJ2anjh1JO_5J2klHTBFJB7TEjJvyGpYL_YnpfCm3dBvjwve4d8/s400/IMG_0335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548117169945065234" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5