tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54870459694596446212024-02-21T04:34:05.617-06:00Simply MommyHeather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-59487081359161425012011-10-27T13:24:00.002-05:002011-10-27T13:27:39.010-05:00Awesome site I found - The Dating Divas...(and no its not just for you single gals!)<div style="text-align: center;">I was browsing around on Pinterest a couple of days ago and I came across a link to a site that was supposed to have great ideas to strengthen your marriage.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pinned it, but I didn't get around looking at it until this morning.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to say it's an awesome site!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So awesome, in fact, that I felt the need to share their site with all of you...</div><div style="text-align: center;">(and no they didn't ask me to promote them or their site...<br />
I actually just found them and became a follower of their blog today)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The blog is called The Dating Divas.</div><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/wp-content/uploads/Button-1_500x500_300dpi1.png" width="400" /></a></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The Dating Divas is a blog ran by 11 beautiful women<br />
and every Monday they offer a new, completely planned, date idea for your upcoming week.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Throughout the rest of the week they post quick and easy ideas to serve your spouse, unforgettable family outings and activities with the kids, intimate moment ideas to spice up your relationship, and fun crafts!</div><div style="text-align: center;">They definitely seem to have something for everyone.</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">My husband and I have only been married for 2 1/2 years, but we've been together a total of 11 years. So even though we should "technically" still be in the honeymoon phase, we're not...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This past year has been pretty rough on our relationship, but we're still hanging in there.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some days it feels like we're hanging on by a thread though, which is why I think this site is great.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love him more than anything, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but I'll be the first to admit we don't show each other like we should. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We tend to get wrapped up in everyday life and its problems, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and I don't show him anywhere near enough how much I appreciate him and all he does for our family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I browsed around on The Dating Divas site and I found sooo many adorable ideas for little gifts </div><div style="text-align: center;">to let him know that he is appreciated, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/you-me/show-him-the-love/you-are-appreciated/"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dB-rlBJ9rdjIHNz5-Qo8g1Exyo37qHlrjRLVCQEljVzrMHRFC_BRk9j0UyEs3SMW-rOIeXZr0KsbtN4gG-bZ59_dskXHqAKyjtg-daBQn8uep4fXhwfVMs61r_uT9nP1XIgUp1XE87w/s400/wendy-augcraft3-600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">cute ways to say I'm sorry,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/kristen/a-sincere-apology/"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkImKKXEn9Kt8qdNqacNT0U9JTkbWZzWXx11PzOqnzKG9KyQDJWiKuTFJ6Icad4caU0MAawHhwFtbPjKgVlM48U395tMqoxR9ZQKhrHPU1nYTfjZd-XtaI-4y_dCqCYY-WeTikwfgeUD4/s400/Jerksorry-480x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a lot of great Date Night ideas!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/date-night/all-dates/"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudDTciw18WAFfj0qE8QoFn2KD0fRW4s_NuX2br-TKFGIU2E2GkQBVKPcAEuiaAOGWrSuje9qOM8Zt2PSdWEqxs0nZYa_ZnoLe9oiQjWDM-J5PcsYCWO0yOkw3gdnA5UogF_YXGDw77tE/s400/cami-scavenger-hunt-for-you-bed-pillos-dinner-items-1-479x600.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">and since I'm throwing it all out here..I can honestly say...<br />
I really have absolutely NO idea when our last "date night" was!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eeek!...Sounds like I need to get to planning! lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Hope everyone enjoys the site as much as I did!<br />
They really do have some fantastic ideas! :0)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-75119064769020435212011-10-25T21:51:00.002-05:002011-10-27T13:18:10.551-05:00F.R.O.G. Shirt - Freezer Paper Stencil Tutorial<div style="text-align: center;">My projects this week are mainly going to be centered around my trunk for our church's </div><div style="text-align: center;">Trunk or Treat Event. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have soooo much still to do! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have until Sunday night to get it all finished though so I think I have time...at least I sure hope so!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Keep your fingers crossed for me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My theme this year for my trunk is F.R.O.G. -Fully Rely On God. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I blogged about it <a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/trunk-or-treat-ideas.html">HERE</a> in case you missed it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's also other trunk ideas <a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-bible-costumes-trunk-or-treat.html">HERE</a> in case anyone needs a last minute idea for their trunk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyways...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today's project is my FROG shirt.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think most of you craft bloggers probably already know how to use Freezer Paper to stencil a shirt, but I'm going to go through the steps just in case there are some of you out there who don't know :0)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To start, I drew out my design and traced it onto Freezer Paper.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Make sure and draw your design on the dull side of the paper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> You can find freezer paper in your local grocery store in the same aisle as the wax paper, aluminum foil, etc..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_deiCAjSINKdM9kVT-NTq0GWfd-LECEcc1zVdudmK2zyunb0b_fWoVx8K3MKQykUfPRasM2RqtgoLMC1RqlbHs7WAOj4KQH4JP9RNyES3Q7B-xOlKlwBWK5KxabBEggoU08RJmrPkI8/s1600/SANY0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_deiCAjSINKdM9kVT-NTq0GWfd-LECEcc1zVdudmK2zyunb0b_fWoVx8K3MKQykUfPRasM2RqtgoLMC1RqlbHs7WAOj4KQH4JP9RNyES3Q7B-xOlKlwBWK5KxabBEggoU08RJmrPkI8/s400/SANY0142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I carefully cut it out using my x-acto knife.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Of course I didn't take pictures of these two steps..sorry!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCOfLPnNAJ0W48n1yxfCw-6XM_qTkGyPmFXV4DOoyOOaKa0qHNFQGuT5QZTCSbF7PSgiEPJ38nvZAxmb9NWehSlGESlgzshHP9cq1w3AVYloNNjM6m4Swxn3HEMxJ96EHpAcbqyrHnbM/s1600/SANY0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCOfLPnNAJ0W48n1yxfCw-6XM_qTkGyPmFXV4DOoyOOaKa0qHNFQGuT5QZTCSbF7PSgiEPJ38nvZAxmb9NWehSlGESlgzshHP9cq1w3AVYloNNjM6m4Swxn3HEMxJ96EHpAcbqyrHnbM/s400/SANY0030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Once it was cut out it looked like the picture below. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Place your design on your shirt slick side down, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and iron it to your shirt using a hot, dry iron.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pay special attention to your corners, and the small centers of your letters, etc...</div><div style="text-align: center;">to make sure that it seals well to your shirt.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If it doesn't then your paint could run outside of your stencil onto the shirt where you don't want it to. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIT80ufHuCbC99-Zg_CY5Y5i7OJF75nSQZY6aSudAU41-51OFcTuVKxIB2jHyJJXSJXaUdG58CZh7aDTbqJBk49ookABRakT98zsV1GPTjg2-1NovWcO_ccpq86wF5O86egxaT5lDVOY/s1600/SANY0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIT80ufHuCbC99-Zg_CY5Y5i7OJF75nSQZY6aSudAU41-51OFcTuVKxIB2jHyJJXSJXaUdG58CZh7aDTbqJBk49ookABRakT98zsV1GPTjg2-1NovWcO_ccpq86wF5O86egxaT5lDVOY/s400/SANY0145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I prefer to use Tulip paint, but any fabric paint will work. </div><div style="text-align: center;">For this shirt I used Tulip slick paint in black.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqloMRgV5a-lVpKY0yuGIOzPD32wRMLHKLELdxN6mVXh0nVv_0spc2QRBF8ZIa3BLbzX4l5pEcB6jtLwccdxUpZhC7VvBW6HJskzzesLszbxU23cKVPrKK76w5yPJfCwkQpsgveWphfw/s1600/SANY0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqloMRgV5a-lVpKY0yuGIOzPD32wRMLHKLELdxN6mVXh0nVv_0spc2QRBF8ZIa3BLbzX4l5pEcB6jtLwccdxUpZhC7VvBW6HJskzzesLszbxU23cKVPrKK76w5yPJfCwkQpsgveWphfw/s400/SANY0147.JPG" width="198" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn64YeV1jGcEByYC89-_1FVmu0Kx5z5d4_W1me6gIJXdSXf9QZCfqUfua4LaVv9_H4ZUV_ufsA-pTKhMUqDUKqlpJy8xD4jmfRQ1DERXRQ1AlBXO-veLPu-UgVhpEQm6VmZcy6rMbbec8/s1600/SANY0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn64YeV1jGcEByYC89-_1FVmu0Kx5z5d4_W1me6gIJXdSXf9QZCfqUfua4LaVv9_H4ZUV_ufsA-pTKhMUqDUKqlpJy8xD4jmfRQ1DERXRQ1AlBXO-veLPu-UgVhpEQm6VmZcy6rMbbec8/s400/SANY0155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I used Saran Wrap dipped in paint to dab it on my stencil. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I did this so it would give it a lighter vintage look to the design and also since my sweatshirt has a faded, comfortable, worn look to it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Since the stencil outline was so thin in places, and I was afraid the design would turn out too light, I ended up going back over it a second time with paint to darken it up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I like the way it ended up dark enough to read, but the paint on the shirt isn't thick at all...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Almost feels like it was printed on there, not painted.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15uxMAn2u8qMIHMrthg6SRUjBay0u5OdIChifppzvAfEQ63FTyjV8MYoBXGZM_WsdP6688BFvSDMsY_lvXLzhEgJB4Mic-w_ivgXZHOAO-XTmdN1mogW66clgMaHurKqA4oGIydPRQnw/s1600/SANY0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15uxMAn2u8qMIHMrthg6SRUjBay0u5OdIChifppzvAfEQ63FTyjV8MYoBXGZM_WsdP6688BFvSDMsY_lvXLzhEgJB4Mic-w_ivgXZHOAO-XTmdN1mogW66clgMaHurKqA4oGIydPRQnw/s400/SANY0151.JPG" width="342" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once I had the painting finished, I left it to dry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's so hard to leave it alone to dry, but I was good and I actually did leave it to sit overnight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once your paint is completely dry, carefully peel away your stencil.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you're extremely careful taking it off you can actually reuse your freezer paper stencil a couple more times. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I usually end up tearing a piece of the stencil though...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it's because I'm too impatient to see if it turned right...lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once you have your stencil completely pealed off, lay a thin piece of fabric down on top of your design and iron over it to set the paint using a dry iron.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that's all there is to it!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's so easy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to use freezer paper to make shirts!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-on3HdAULBELygmcbVaGb1jmE_F0h4kFXIWktcVMH02ICR7QKsq86epru_JhGVIxk6C24yHktG8NCeSob1OY_uMGUHZCW8hSs7iainE9iYXqTqi0QVopuhsheRqpd7y5KMjJrDITrHE/s1600/SANY0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-on3HdAULBELygmcbVaGb1jmE_F0h4kFXIWktcVMH02ICR7QKsq86epru_JhGVIxk6C24yHktG8NCeSob1OY_uMGUHZCW8hSs7iainE9iYXqTqi0QVopuhsheRqpd7y5KMjJrDITrHE/s400/SANY0157.JPG" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My shirt is plain and simple, but that's what I was going for.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it's going to look great with my <a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/10/frog-hat-my-first-ever-completed.html">Knit Frog Hat</a>! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{If you enjoyed this post please consider "following" me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm attempting to grow my fan base. Thanks! }</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-39102922395051064422011-10-22T11:52:00.001-05:002011-10-25T13:47:59.506-05:00I Got Featured :0)<div style="text-align: center;">WooHoo! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been up a whole hour today and already its turning out to be a great day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just the fact that it was 10:30 before I had to get up was enough to make it an awesome day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But then to make it even better...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pull up blogger, </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm checking out the latest posts, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and I'm scrolling on through the top 25 DIY Projects post from Tatertots & Jello.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">and there was my <a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/head-and-footboard-bench.html">Headboard Bench</a>!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So Excited! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I . Got . Featured . on Tatertots & Jello!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome, Awesome day...lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In case your not subscribed to Tatertots & Jello (then you need too.its and amazing blog!), here's the link to <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2011/10/great-ideas-25-fabulous-how-to-projects-diy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FOivM+%28Tatertots+and+Jello%29">the post</a> if you want to check it out..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now to drag my lazy butt up and away from the computer this morning and be productive ....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-60883660607236337202011-10-18T16:25:00.001-05:002011-10-18T16:28:52.344-05:00Feeling Proud, but Old<div style="text-align: center;">I had a birthday a little over a week ago and I turned 32. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a lot of people ask me if I felt older, or if turning 32 bothered me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My answer to them was no.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The year I turned 25 has really been the only birthday, that I remember, that has bothered me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I told them no for a couple of different reasons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I don't feel old, and I know people say it all the time but I really believe you are only as old as you feel..</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also I just look at birthdays as another year the Good Lord has blessed me to be here in the world and another year I get to spend with my family and watch them grow up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That is honestly how I felt...until last night...lol</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last night I had a serious conversation with my oldest son Tyler, who is 14, that really left me feeling old.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday after school Tyler came into my room and was telling me how he made a decision, and that he has decided on going into the Navy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He has told me from the time he was old enough to talk that he was going into the military. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I just really thought he would be like all little boys who want to be an "army man" and that he would grow out of it.<br />
But with him, after 10 years at least, I don't think it's a phase.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The only thing that has changed from year to year is that he's always changing which branch he wants to go into. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well he says he's decided Navy now because he wants to go into the Navy Seal program. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He apparently has been spending the last few days online researching the different programs and requirements. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He informed me last night that he's decided that he really needs to bring his grades up,(YEA!!!) especially in math and science. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He said if he would be underwater in a sub he would need to be able to calculate mass and volume, etc...and that he also needs to work on learning another language. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He also says he wants to go to 2 years of regular college so he can get smart..lol..then 2 years of admiral college .</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not even sure what that is, but I guess he found it in his research. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">He then continued to tell me how he also probably needs to not be friends with a few of his friends since they could get him into trouble since he knows some of them occasionally drink and do drugs...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and he really needs to work hard to make sure he doesn't get anything on his record, and that he needs to focus more on his friends that are funny like him, and that like to have fun, but that don't get into trouble...</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also found out that he spent the night at a different friends house instead of where he was supposed to be originally over the weekend, (which I knew) but the real reason was because the kid had thrown a party where they were drinking and he didn't want to be around that..(DOUBLE YEA!!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">With him his moods are so different from day to day, but he was completely serious when telling me what all he was wanting to change in his life and accomplish. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I told him that I thought his goals were fantastic (even though as his mother it scares the crap out of me! ) and that I was very proud of his decisions, but that he was going to have to work very hard because the Seals training is the hardest to go through and they are very selective on who they take. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I know I had my kids really young, and they are a lot older than most of my friends kids, but I just don't think everyday about how much they are growing up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then it hit me last night after our conversation that in 4 years, my oldest son will very possibly not be living with me any more and will be off exploring the world, possibly in the Navy, with me nowhere close by to protect him...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That made me feel very old,<br />
but at the same time so very proud of the young man he's becoming! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Does any of you other moms out there have teenagers? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I always thought after the teenage years I'd be happily planning the going away to college parties...lol...<br />
but that doesn't seem to be the case :0(</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyone else feel the same way?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for letting me ramble :0)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-24411512334198607742011-10-17T17:43:00.000-05:002011-10-17T17:43:10.035-05:00Frog Hat - My first ever completed knitting project! :0)<div style="text-align: center;">First off, I have to say Welcome to my new followers!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then I have to follow that with an apology.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been such a blogger slacker this past week and a half! lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a bit of a reality check and I realized how close Halloween is, and of course I hadn't done anything yet...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Except come up with my Trunk or Treat idea.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oops...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I spent the last week teaching myself to knit and making my frog hat for my Halloween costume.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For being the first thing I've ever knitted, I'm pretty proud of it :0)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI_V9pzmTtut7OM6SWz2I41K7phegkUMz8fmiYVUO1SelQ2RAyzFFPSBZmnBfvLwnXryE0COdpu9JvvUmNXnGKb5CRAhmSjHYwAhGvIMBY4HU13Qw80oPZCmx8e3ojNt-F9mqulZ02CI/s1600/SANY0168-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI_V9pzmTtut7OM6SWz2I41K7phegkUMz8fmiYVUO1SelQ2RAyzFFPSBZmnBfvLwnXryE0COdpu9JvvUmNXnGKb5CRAhmSjHYwAhGvIMBY4HU13Qw80oPZCmx8e3ojNt-F9mqulZ02CI/s400/SANY0168-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0m6BboL4-bEuJ2vqVaHeflpc0QvrP60t5LlrUeW2kGfIwHeo97Pb2NiBrOgsdqtrrbg7CU9hYea5mhY5bZpSLkySxOPwY6JcKrMJIySk3HXbFEMvZoyQMo_EU8_5hWMgjPyi2iGsOqw/s1600/SANY0185-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0m6BboL4-bEuJ2vqVaHeflpc0QvrP60t5LlrUeW2kGfIwHeo97Pb2NiBrOgsdqtrrbg7CU9hYea5mhY5bZpSLkySxOPwY6JcKrMJIySk3HXbFEMvZoyQMo_EU8_5hWMgjPyi2iGsOqw/s400/SANY0185-retouch.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used this pattern for the hat that I found <a href="http://frenchpressknits.blogspot.com/2010/01/improv-hat-and-cowl-patterns.html">here </a><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Here's how I did it...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
<b>Yarn:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">I used Red Heart -#4 Medium, worsted yarn in color # 0624 Tea Leaf - I bought the huge skein of yarn, the super saver, and I didn't use much of it. I would say 1 regular size skein should be plenty to make 1 hat.<br />
I also used Vanna's Choice #4 yarn in black and white for the eyes and mouth.<br />
<br />
<b>Needles:</b><br />
Circular needle, 16-in length, size 6 & 7 <br />
<br />
<b>Gauge</b>:<br />
I don't understand gauge yet...lol...so I just knitted it exactly like it said and it worked perfectly.<b> </b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Instructions:</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Cast on 80 stitches with size 6 circular needles. Place marker. Join, being careful not to twist.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> Cuff:</b> Work k1, p1 cuff for 6 rows </div><div style="text-align: left;">(I actually got mine ribbing off slightly so it really doesn't looked ribbed, but I still like it.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Switch to larger needles.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 1:</b> *k8, m1 ; continue from * to end of round (90 stitches)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 2:</b> knit</div><div style="text-align: left;">continue in stockinette stitch until hat measures 8.5". (just knitting-no purls since you are on circular needles)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Switch to dpns when you can no longer work on circulars. </div><div style="text-align: left;">(I don't completely grasp the concept yet of using DPN's either ...lol...so, go figure, I did mine differently but I'm going to post that separately.I'm currently working on another hat so I'll take pics then of the finishing steps.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Begin decrease rows</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 1:</b> *k7, k2tog; repeat from * to end (80 stitches)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 2:</b> knit</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 3:</b> *k6, k2tog; repeat from * to end (70 stitches)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 4:</b> knit</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 5:</b> *k5, k2tog; repeat from * to end (60 stitches)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 6:</b> k2tog across all stitches (30 stitches)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Round 7:</b> k2tog across all stitches (15 stitches)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Break yarn, leaving tails about 8" long. Draw yarn through remaining stitches </div><div style="text-align: left;">and fasten off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now as for the eyes, I honestly can't tell you exactly how I did them...I mean, I know how I did them, but doing them and explaining it in the proper crochet terms I just can't do... But I did use crochet for the eyes, then attached them to the hat in the center of the eye with matching black yarn...I googled (A LOT) since I had no idea how to crochet or knit a week ago...There is a lot of great tutorials out there on how to crochet a flat circle, then others on how to incorporate multiple colors and I just tried and combined different techniques until I found something that worked for me..It might not be done the proper way, but it worked and turned out cute, so I'm happy with it...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't like not being able to give exact steps though so i wil try harder in the future to be able to write out understandable patterns for all steps.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also for those of you out there who, like me, are new to knitting...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a couple of helpful tips that I found out by trial and error.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the round knitting:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Garter stitch - knit 1 round, Purl 1 round</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stockinette Stitch - knit every round</div><div style="text-align: center;">Reverse Stockinette Stitch - Purl every round</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These stitches have to be done differently when you are knitting in the round (using circular needles) because you are knitting in a spiral instead of back and forth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Most of the time it looked like the pattern designers would just write "work all rounds in Stockinette Stitch" and if you don't know the above rules you will end up with a garter stitch instead of the stockinette stitch...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did that the first time and it took me FOREVER to figure out what I did wrong...lol...</div><div style="text-align: center;">After a lot of googling I figured out my mistake..needless to say I was not a happy knitter..lol! :0)</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also when buying circular needles, you cannot knit on needles longer than the hat you are going to make...</div><div style="text-align: center;">For instance: If I want the band on my hat to measure 21" then I will need circular needles smaller than 21"...Most patterns specify the length to use, but of course I didn't notice this until I had bought a set of huge circular needles...lol...but it's ok. It's just another thing to add to my stash.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One last little tip I found, and this is more a personal preference, but the bamboo knitting needles are the way to go! I have a bag of misc size plastic and metal knitting needles I found at the thrift store a few weeks ago for $0.50! It was a great deal, but after buying the bamboo circular needles I have found there is a huge difference. The bamboo ones are so much easier and comfortable for me to use.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
So this is what I've been up to lately...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've also just started on a fly hat for Tyler(my oldest) for his Trunk or Treat costume.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also still have a few other projects in the works that have kind of been pushed to the back burner lately. Hopefully I'll have something else to show you all soon so it won't be so long before I post again! :0)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{If you enjoyed this post please consider "following" me.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm attempting to grow my fan base. Thanks! }</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-57997087570815268792011-10-05T13:39:00.001-05:002011-10-06T23:58:40.662-05:00Cake Plate Redo<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday! <br />
Sorry it's been a few days since I've posted..Things have been pretty busy around here.<br />
<br />
Hope everyone had a great weekend!<br />
We did.<br />
<br />
My dad came in town and spent the weekend with us.<br />
Then I went with my mom and my brother to see the movie Courageous on Sunday afternoon...<br />
It was fantastic! I'm definitely going to have to take all my boys to see it.<br />
<br />
I had a lot of projects I had planned to work on this weekend.<br />
Unfortunately, since we were so busy, I didn't get as much done as I would have liked.<br />
But its ok, because to me family time should come first anyways :0)<br />
<br />
I have a couple of big projects in the works, that I should have done in the next few days(hopefully!)<br />
but there's not much that I can actually show yet. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">But while I was working on one of my other projects and already had out the supplies,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided to sand down and paint my cake plate base.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH31I2MFTpg5quADNSopIs5eZHtzmHcTj1hhhWO9DP_2fiNveO1t4TRueexLRbxUoH7XkMnAESJmHnJPgG-OPM8C__j_jzD-vQr00lN-5VgHYU1Ffg4uzo-s_srcM1H0Pwyuiiv-547U4/s1600/SANY0039-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH31I2MFTpg5quADNSopIs5eZHtzmHcTj1hhhWO9DP_2fiNveO1t4TRueexLRbxUoH7XkMnAESJmHnJPgG-OPM8C__j_jzD-vQr00lN-5VgHYU1Ffg4uzo-s_srcM1H0Pwyuiiv-547U4/s400/SANY0039-retouch.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember this Cake Plate from my <a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/thrift-store-finds.html">Thrifty Finds-week 1</a> post? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well here's how the base started out:<br />
not so pretty... <br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQkWB_IgNbS0I2wgY6oWJBPSYMHWR1XJlRo_HFLtTNZSoIU6X3g_OEOPioaaZYOIqXrb7qq8QCF4uK-Sk17PEaN4qtJy2g2dGj97cepXVhlQtSmmQnzC9Og7kmetW20HYT7LdPxys5w0/s1600/SANY0028-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQkWB_IgNbS0I2wgY6oWJBPSYMHWR1XJlRo_HFLtTNZSoIU6X3g_OEOPioaaZYOIqXrb7qq8QCF4uK-Sk17PEaN4qtJy2g2dGj97cepXVhlQtSmmQnzC9Og7kmetW20HYT7LdPxys5w0/s400/SANY0028-retouch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I sanded the crap out of it...and forgot to take a picture :0).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Primed it:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5UdUxAoQn23NHcv2MFTU_OewcFhiHK6eViBnGybLGnhaEHckV-tGWASb6_01FEEca5sYL7DuB7R-FPzgxg_EWWwm9SnQlP1MseGelOVpIUhUypiFo4Uu4Y8ZXT7SpxLWlWoVsLOWwOg/s1600/SANY0040-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5UdUxAoQn23NHcv2MFTU_OewcFhiHK6eViBnGybLGnhaEHckV-tGWASb6_01FEEca5sYL7DuB7R-FPzgxg_EWWwm9SnQlP1MseGelOVpIUhUypiFo4Uu4Y8ZXT7SpxLWlWoVsLOWwOg/s400/SANY0040-retouch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then painted it black:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vcr3l6CYvoYJEmPMefk7vsP54T2QQG2uxsIf15_bE-OZIHkINExuEiWPOlOfIEn9zEIY3ty-1mtg44Hgm59iC0TrKUayDdhTwSuMyJBDJqJfD-kOwCc3O0YuApnZcHuwgppzmFKRCpw/s1600/SANY0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vcr3l6CYvoYJEmPMefk7vsP54T2QQG2uxsIf15_bE-OZIHkINExuEiWPOlOfIEn9zEIY3ty-1mtg44Hgm59iC0TrKUayDdhTwSuMyJBDJqJfD-kOwCc3O0YuApnZcHuwgppzmFKRCpw/s320/SANY0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's it completely finished...</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MgEX5Q_cP3Y5W9w_72tyjX7VZgPn_oOsRM7SsRmBWNBP8TJCC0k-4YIpJ08OkY21GkqTPvi_u9szgoFuVNjhf5-nEHEnG75NYQn73Tex_qee4XZ4Vphza52JYafEw2oBDwBAa-rBRg8/s1600/SANY0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MgEX5Q_cP3Y5W9w_72tyjX7VZgPn_oOsRM7SsRmBWNBP8TJCC0k-4YIpJ08OkY21GkqTPvi_u9szgoFuVNjhf5-nEHEnG75NYQn73Tex_qee4XZ4Vphza52JYafEw2oBDwBAa-rBRg8/s320/SANY0062.JPG" width="294" /></a></div><br />
I LOVE IT!<br />
It looks so much better now! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not to mention it's hard to beat that for a $1!<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #ea9999; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; color: #f1c232; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{If you enjoyed this post please consider "following" me.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; color: #f1c232; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm attempting to grow my fan base. Thanks! }</span></div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-88088018609677348182011-09-30T18:20:00.000-05:002011-09-30T18:20:19.149-05:00Ottoman...Fail :0(<div style="text-align: center;">So I had it all planned out in my head last night...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had an awesome project that I thought I could do quickly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I came home last night excited to get started on it, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and was sure I could get it done and have it to show you all today...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last week, on my Thrifty Finds Week 2 (that I haven't got posted yet...oops.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I found this awesome ottoman at one of our local thrift stores for <span style="font-size: large;"><b>$4</b>!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYm7OJmlZcX1RI7WmadCu0GW1A2Mj_gYAKUhl5ElfA7TGIt8aeOV8eSPLs2h_bKxSZRQUYIC-S95hY96g5lD4F6mI1vhs8lpV32DHtJG3WqQdLG555Bxv1mAs4-F9zSfw7dT3Vd-1Jx4/s1600/04-cropped-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYm7OJmlZcX1RI7WmadCu0GW1A2Mj_gYAKUhl5ElfA7TGIt8aeOV8eSPLs2h_bKxSZRQUYIC-S95hY96g5lD4F6mI1vhs8lpV32DHtJG3WqQdLG555Bxv1mAs4-F9zSfw7dT3Vd-1Jx4/s400/04-cropped-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was so excited because I was sure I could recover it easily and it would look fabulous.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In my head I could see my plans all laid out...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take it apart at the main seams, cut new pieces the same size as the old ones, </div><div style="text-align: center;">make piping, sew back together..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sounds easy right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I started to take off the Mohair top and this is what I found....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8IwWbNCYpgbAV9zMfoQc1KOPo_8mHJ7nAbi76iVVBld3AA4CgLGjxot3nx58Lz_QI1oXQ1Y3bKjkk10xx9TQ9MPvBJbBPtYMINhCHANAlWK6PVKMtH7IQJZ6iMF02-019mGAAethSyo/s1600/SANY0026-resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8IwWbNCYpgbAV9zMfoQc1KOPo_8mHJ7nAbi76iVVBld3AA4CgLGjxot3nx58Lz_QI1oXQ1Y3bKjkk10xx9TQ9MPvBJbBPtYMINhCHANAlWK6PVKMtH7IQJZ6iMF02-019mGAAethSyo/s320/SANY0026-resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Straw!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Needless to say I was not a happy camper...lol..</div><div style="text-align: center;">That does explain why it was so heavy though..lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So now I'm at a loss on how to save my ottoman. :0(</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could sew it back together and slipcover it...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but there's no telling where this was before the thrift store...and I'm not up for breeding possible creepy crawlies in the living room..eewww.. So the old straw has to go.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not to mention it would look funny (in my opinion) because of the piping to slipcover it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought about refilling it with new straw, but if I take off the leather outside, </div><div style="text-align: center;">then I will be left with just a pile of old straw since there is no inside support </div><div style="text-align: center;">other than the wooden bottom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another option and probably the most reasonable is to buy foam to remake the ottoman, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but then my $4 ottoman project just got a lot more expensive...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So no clue what I'm going to do yet...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Has anyone else ran into this problem?</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Any good ideas to fix it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-20438879914195339372011-09-28T20:39:00.002-05:002011-10-04T01:25:23.217-05:00Head & Footboard Bench Tutorial<div style="text-align: center;">I'm so excited!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have officially finished my first piece of furniture!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been seeing a lot of benches that people have made from headboards and footboards and I loved them...So I thought that would be a good project for me to start with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulSJyI2zbHjRiRfCe4S5EDvMTOT7uH5pS1VisSIlA7v-fYGKpRvmW0aaE0CN_ZdiwBkFPUh5kezJb4ar32f4EsGkrLi7m2XloZiG3la9j5xynVo2nkFj20MeLlfATrEVcuABUTEh6dfQ/s1600/need+to+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulSJyI2zbHjRiRfCe4S5EDvMTOT7uH5pS1VisSIlA7v-fYGKpRvmW0aaE0CN_ZdiwBkFPUh5kezJb4ar32f4EsGkrLi7m2XloZiG3la9j5xynVo2nkFj20MeLlfATrEVcuABUTEh6dfQ/s400/need+to+edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I grew up watching my dad take old beat up furniture and pianos and completely restore them to absolute gorgeousness! (is that even a word?? lol..If not I guess it is now)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My brother and husband are also quite handy when it comes to building stuff, but I've never had the chance to try to build something myself. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband probably won't like to hear this, (so cover your ears, or in this case your eyes, hunny)...lol..but I'm hooked! Already I have ideas brewing for my next two or three projects...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's just not enough time or money to get it all done as quickly as I would like..lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So anyways..enough of my rambling...here's how I made my bench...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first thing I needed was a solid wood headboard and footboard. I didn't want to spend much on it so I put an ad up on our local Freecycle and within one day I had a this set for FREE! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIsGYVF16VRgUcItjWDYhkzoIYg1mxIzNhWCKiooy3JFL0rqgo7cxgdbLmEpySrAuamo7HxYqhQldehU4zpJqkakTgnYr6M5MTZMGomOwCLQ8v4GOnaj_UUknu2KOGE7vy311iK99PiI/s1600/SANY0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIsGYVF16VRgUcItjWDYhkzoIYg1mxIzNhWCKiooy3JFL0rqgo7cxgdbLmEpySrAuamo7HxYqhQldehU4zpJqkakTgnYr6M5MTZMGomOwCLQ8v4GOnaj_UUknu2KOGE7vy311iK99PiI/s400/SANY0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvnt97dq_cqghWowzijG2W_4TDuCNYUqgsMH2dlSIHktEp7hq77K2zJMEanF_WpbUxcxhEG9LUrrsye9etEN0etR-hejoQ41ChGnPl2ONb4V5KOlfix_bkdQYBNV2g80lPVlVaCI9s4I/s1600/SANY0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvnt97dq_cqghWowzijG2W_4TDuCNYUqgsMH2dlSIHktEp7hq77K2zJMEanF_WpbUxcxhEG9LUrrsye9etEN0etR-hejoQ41ChGnPl2ONb4V5KOlfix_bkdQYBNV2g80lPVlVaCI9s4I/s400/SANY0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did the majority of the work on the bench myself...but I have to admit I had a lot of help from my husband...He did a lot of supervising and instructing since he was completely convinced I was going to cut off a finger or a body part of some kind. lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He also helped in drawing up the plans..This is where me and my husband are completely different...I'm more of a pile it all in front of you, scratch out a design on a scrap of paper and start working on it, type of person...He's a<strike> little</strike> a lot more anal than that..That's not always a bad thing though..</div><div style="text-align: center;">He's a drafter and a planner...so instead of my scratched out design he broke out the AutoCad and made me a 3D picture :0)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_0T387dF8kdAkL6_9zFEvVdZxAbrBCwW7_EYyPQj8pxjgb6jula1cIXdti_yvyxUNYbju3a3vtYhD7xqN2oeNeLIn2895CS9CMeXyXyVoORaUetdF5tcOtTDsG0_nSF_fGLX7uMhlOE/s1600/SANY0069-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_0T387dF8kdAkL6_9zFEvVdZxAbrBCwW7_EYyPQj8pxjgb6jula1cIXdti_yvyxUNYbju3a3vtYhD7xqN2oeNeLIn2895CS9CMeXyXyVoORaUetdF5tcOtTDsG0_nSF_fGLX7uMhlOE/s400/SANY0069-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Every bench is going to be different since the headboards, sizes, etc will be different so I'm just going to show you how I made this one and you can adapt yours accordingly. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I made a base using 2x4's, with metal support brackets in the corners</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1ePKLYRzeYCnXgU6-inPOIkHYzXCfzZ_kesHS563etKjUzxKQgxQYKGtRYugM9IfUGDJGpvbmDEOKsXJ8LnGm2JtzjmeP8RfOgbt5eSdlDjGS0TM0jj5TPXvCeDDlu_owL0dlgRfk_c/s1600/SANY0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1ePKLYRzeYCnXgU6-inPOIkHYzXCfzZ_kesHS563etKjUzxKQgxQYKGtRYugM9IfUGDJGpvbmDEOKsXJ8LnGm2JtzjmeP8RfOgbt5eSdlDjGS0TM0jj5TPXvCeDDlu_owL0dlgRfk_c/s320/SANY0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next we cut down the legs of the footboard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW0dTtqSCyj6qoMM170VHFxhEZKD6uiJKxG7Jw1e5Hy1WtUnjFY0Ghyphenhyphenbfhmp3I0fyzQHOmcdztB768efmLGbj13-VHh7T_RseXqzR6YEsHHhprgx-_IcrZPl9vCLVL4faCME41rXWNxM/s1600/SANY0003-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW0dTtqSCyj6qoMM170VHFxhEZKD6uiJKxG7Jw1e5Hy1WtUnjFY0Ghyphenhyphenbfhmp3I0fyzQHOmcdztB768efmLGbj13-VHh7T_RseXqzR6YEsHHhprgx-_IcrZPl9vCLVL4faCME41rXWNxM/s320/SANY0003-1.JPG" width="87" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6O_KNehmRf5mw9Jcri1cxj6cdllUnCMcmmNfCWnW_-QmQ17dvbjgC4M3xxMM4D46aD_HiKeL3dE217Eq4JpvXkagV3PeDM-wPR0QIyVB8dMEPTpm-tL7r_-5Xb80tuP_pzMLj5jXWlzw/s1600/SANY0018+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6O_KNehmRf5mw9Jcri1cxj6cdllUnCMcmmNfCWnW_-QmQ17dvbjgC4M3xxMM4D46aD_HiKeL3dE217Eq4JpvXkagV3PeDM-wPR0QIyVB8dMEPTpm-tL7r_-5Xb80tuP_pzMLj5jXWlzw/s320/SANY0018+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I then attached the headboard and front legs (from the footboard) to the base.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5JaLgxxfUmfAVU3NbMGflgjHGgYTof1nScCSr3cx97YfN3fTsk2beug_VTxNsWmGcB20W6SVQO4aVZvdhvF3RdIzE64VtBaGwQOz1bHt-s95Dlm2ju4Gn1ny6UyiYkCwoHGNgJrKme8/s1600/SANY0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5JaLgxxfUmfAVU3NbMGflgjHGgYTof1nScCSr3cx97YfN3fTsk2beug_VTxNsWmGcB20W6SVQO4aVZvdhvF3RdIzE64VtBaGwQOz1bHt-s95Dlm2ju4Gn1ny6UyiYkCwoHGNgJrKme8/s400/SANY0007.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGc3L8lieMORkmAsDqytJM1qQ6Nq7SHW8Z2d0l_iiOoFcJdtNa4puDgLq8EXxMvVtBs3L0JTtfrPw_bM66fxJYEsuX59teJH_WWIeifgn-gFV116z24vkOcNf4yV5eYhf7CoUdpnBmtg/s1600/SANY0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGc3L8lieMORkmAsDqytJM1qQ6Nq7SHW8Z2d0l_iiOoFcJdtNa4puDgLq8EXxMvVtBs3L0JTtfrPw_bM66fxJYEsuX59teJH_WWIeifgn-gFV116z24vkOcNf4yV5eYhf7CoUdpnBmtg/s400/SANY0015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Next I used the bottom slat of the footboard as the back bench trim and attached 1x6 to the other 3 sides to match the back and to cover the 2x4 base. I then cut and attached all the top slat pieces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7BA6nW5PcoZZ34Kxejh09EFV7H3ylfLbm5QFJQzwBa5KrzqYeGjKgEo1vauOoHPVhI7Xn9G92ZnrA6gqZcgDlg5GZgO_GFnna4slCpmx2oRLXvGtSIopX6_aMFcXXdktVrs-HDdnxJ8/s1600/SANY0010+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7BA6nW5PcoZZ34Kxejh09EFV7H3ylfLbm5QFJQzwBa5KrzqYeGjKgEo1vauOoHPVhI7Xn9G92ZnrA6gqZcgDlg5GZgO_GFnna4slCpmx2oRLXvGtSIopX6_aMFcXXdktVrs-HDdnxJ8/s400/SANY0010+%25284%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We then took the two remaining tops from the footboard and cut them here</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGc3L8lieMORkmAsDqytJM1qQ6Nq7SHW8Z2d0l_iiOoFcJdtNa4puDgLq8EXxMvVtBs3L0JTtfrPw_bM66fxJYEsuX59teJH_WWIeifgn-gFV116z24vkOcNf4yV5eYhf7CoUdpnBmtg/s1600/SANY0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8z3nLhTT5HLesYguHlSqQnUFRu7r_p_3KF396zSQl-kWap-sDIjRaS5CjDDk__Pcallkyw-UxwWfdcCs-vFfNrWjHz6VHYaPL35lZcD9JtoWnyrzkps03dW-EknIX0GBTSJRThZYcDo/s1600/SANY0020+%25283%2529-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8z3nLhTT5HLesYguHlSqQnUFRu7r_p_3KF396zSQl-kWap-sDIjRaS5CjDDk__Pcallkyw-UxwWfdcCs-vFfNrWjHz6VHYaPL35lZcD9JtoWnyrzkps03dW-EknIX0GBTSJRThZYcDo/s400/SANY0020+%25283%2529-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA-6Cd-At9m7Xr-jw1KR5aM5fHSIGn8Cyx5QI1M7-3wW_9dmmzRLO3vERhOXOZ3Ol6qjCp0lvzNIeXr2CggpY6pnP5wZlULGT-6JJm2FW3TiVmU08CZk6l0PXeFD7E3gE3U_N4aWX0v0/s1600/SANY0017+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA-6Cd-At9m7Xr-jw1KR5aM5fHSIGn8Cyx5QI1M7-3wW_9dmmzRLO3vERhOXOZ3Ol6qjCp0lvzNIeXr2CggpY6pnP5wZlULGT-6JJm2FW3TiVmU08CZk6l0PXeFD7E3gE3U_N4aWX0v0/s400/SANY0017+%25284%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I attached the tops to the front bench legs so that the tops would match the back bench posts</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjweEpXTH9uLCGRVNbt5iJrxMT4Cj_6KOtYiDbuRtH1K8HArUtt4HIkV9PhgQMKRGPRoKb-1SglALYDit8FPmmqPJnM5I0IPBMt1YvFCsQAMWhTv8KVoin0urWCt-OS-OVY-GdJmrTE8/s1600/SANY0021+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjweEpXTH9uLCGRVNbt5iJrxMT4Cj_6KOtYiDbuRtH1K8HArUtt4HIkV9PhgQMKRGPRoKb-1SglALYDit8FPmmqPJnM5I0IPBMt1YvFCsQAMWhTv8KVoin0urWCt-OS-OVY-GdJmrTE8/s400/SANY0021+%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6WOtH_yR1NVI28SY63YvIsdcR15lFZxETT2SCrYH4Ktd3cAS-5SGCTf_JBI6Ew1Qo-Ay9pzQGuNeHjg5dQg1O2MVX4tPI0TaqdM_ZCaAPgsYuNiCFrpV5QkL6mXbFSKHiwfefB-NW-U/s1600/SANY0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6WOtH_yR1NVI28SY63YvIsdcR15lFZxETT2SCrYH4Ktd3cAS-5SGCTf_JBI6Ew1Qo-Ay9pzQGuNeHjg5dQg1O2MVX4tPI0TaqdM_ZCaAPgsYuNiCFrpV5QkL6mXbFSKHiwfefB-NW-U/s400/SANY0025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then it was finally time to start sanding, priming, and painting.<br />
The sanding was by far the worst part of the whole process...<br />
It sucked and it took forever,<br />
but it was worth it.<br />
Chandler came out before he went to bed and wanted to help put on the primer, and he did a great job!<br />
He says he wants to help every time I have to paint something..lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1ouJf3t0mTO1SZjovvOSd2RfySU2oEXNJfXSYxZUDYY1I9JJDVJy1IAQVgy9LDZIFAkkX4ey-5BApyndA-hyvUVbkYw9ZNXOyUEU8G6EJFITEtlGqcHwRhilXJi0-M9k904Ut_UEKCI/s1600/SANY0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1ouJf3t0mTO1SZjovvOSd2RfySU2oEXNJfXSYxZUDYY1I9JJDVJy1IAQVgy9LDZIFAkkX4ey-5BApyndA-hyvUVbkYw9ZNXOyUEU8G6EJFITEtlGqcHwRhilXJi0-M9k904Ut_UEKCI/s400/SANY0031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvw-IPmdBLh3XankgjQKIJfj6IK_kdQPBrH2JCPgJb0WEV9PuVsOuX8SsiNkRtaaMUhujpMTuhh3_VxVM9_mN0VBh5ZJn9g639oT0RwnMLBHGHnKqXw8oCxRywnGhOXW5eW1cZ_In-7w/s1600/SANY0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvw-IPmdBLh3XankgjQKIJfj6IK_kdQPBrH2JCPgJb0WEV9PuVsOuX8SsiNkRtaaMUhujpMTuhh3_VxVM9_mN0VBh5ZJn9g639oT0RwnMLBHGHnKqXw8oCxRywnGhOXW5eW1cZ_In-7w/s320/SANY0036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here it is finished. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It ended up a little bigger and a whole lot heavier than I had expected it to be, but I really like it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1VDrG1dqzvCIIppsJ4IOi5Shrr6HaAV74t5U1cfVDrAQkmiso31o2fZsQwzwQX4MQimXWD_oxoYiu2BjTJcV1ELWl8oKwCD5jRhXIQ07DhCZAEr2XdnV9ZswCXtQcYbnN1UO9et35eM/s1600/SANY0013+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1VDrG1dqzvCIIppsJ4IOi5Shrr6HaAV74t5U1cfVDrAQkmiso31o2fZsQwzwQX4MQimXWD_oxoYiu2BjTJcV1ELWl8oKwCD5jRhXIQ07DhCZAEr2XdnV9ZswCXtQcYbnN1UO9et35eM/s400/SANY0013+%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's currently sitting in the kitchen..lol...(please ignore the chore board I haven't updated in a few weeks..the kids are still doing chores, I just haven't been writing them down...oops :0)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is not going to be its new home, but I still have to do some rearranging first.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also still have a cushion for the bench and pillows to make, but that will be for another day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxeorPwHY_lHoV4wMHEJ9ls4JOHwNsQawgksbqtZRQMjaAc-Vnfi3NmNiB5G5hlTgl2Did5oLTprBOdrpYGx20ZHsbumvMCA0W5Xx53pvtpk41zN403IDpm7MV_NuKFQgWUnw4RcQTcY/s1600/SANY0019+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxeorPwHY_lHoV4wMHEJ9ls4JOHwNsQawgksbqtZRQMjaAc-Vnfi3NmNiB5G5hlTgl2Did5oLTprBOdrpYGx20ZHsbumvMCA0W5Xx53pvtpk41zN403IDpm7MV_NuKFQgWUnw4RcQTcY/s400/SANY0019+%25283%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope the instructions made sense...If you make a bench using this send me a pic and let me know!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope everyone has a good night :0)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #ea9999; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; color: #f1c232; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{If you enjoyed this post please consider "following" me.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; color: #f1c232; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm attempting to grow my fan base. Thanks! }</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #0b5394;"></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-26339686498392967742011-09-21T17:20:00.001-05:002011-09-23T20:47:13.349-05:00More Bible Costumes / Trunk or Treat Ideas that I like!I posted earlier <a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/trunk-or-treat-ideas.html">here</a> about the decoration idea that I'm going to use on my van for Trunk or Treat at our church this year.<br />
<br />
While I was searching around online I found a lot of other really great ideas too. So I thought I'd post them in case anyone else needed ideas...<br />
<br />
So here's some of the other ideas I found: <br />
<br />
Guitar Hero - God's our hero - This could be a really cool theme...Dress up as rockstars, and carry guitar hero guitars, but with a God's our Hero sign<br />
<br />
D.O.G - Depending on God - Could be done like my <a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/trunk-or-treat-ideas.html">F.R.O.G idea</a> but with a dog theme instead<br />
<br />
The Bible<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhsXa0biOYhkdlzXh-ZLVw1V_rth9nom73n8uG-84vpG1WjvSK_QYYvuA4nTOuTrlmhV3Px7NPLZt95D3sBUZ-SJYgo4aVm1fKhaK1YNXHfV2J-32mz91GR0d9Qw1NpwBjH8DFdXh-fg/s1600/Bible-Book-Costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhsXa0biOYhkdlzXh-ZLVw1V_rth9nom73n8uG-84vpG1WjvSK_QYYvuA4nTOuTrlmhV3Px7NPLZt95D3sBUZ-SJYgo4aVm1fKhaK1YNXHfV2J-32mz91GR0d9Qw1NpwBjH8DFdXh-fg/s320/Bible-Book-Costume.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><u><br />
</u>Books of the Bible:<br />
<br />
Numbers -Carry a book, and attach a bunch of cutout numbers to your outfit<br />
Romans -Easy to make with a sheet and some leaves. Carry a book<br />
Hebrews -Have a man carry a book and a coffeepot...He-brews..get it?<br />
Embarrassing to admit, but it took me a minute...lol<br />
<br />
Noah and the Ark - I loved this one!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3tx6BXD2FfIymY6LS5QWlsTcCfqffS6jY2h8E9hFGLIxUmGp3dxkuMu5tq6kkTZm1xcKU4kqFJCu89IHJmTwwgYj3UVGmZcsfetBQQ5JY74vNLP8l6ifTCMNzolRmV-esd07cbFHxBI/s1600/noahs+ark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3tx6BXD2FfIymY6LS5QWlsTcCfqffS6jY2h8E9hFGLIxUmGp3dxkuMu5tq6kkTZm1xcKU4kqFJCu89IHJmTwwgYj3UVGmZcsfetBQQ5JY74vNLP8l6ifTCMNzolRmV-esd07cbFHxBI/s320/noahs+ark.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Jonah and the Whale - really really loved this one!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYCdJEk5_9X_979mFDkbJ9HFYFQX2M7_zBczuybCL270qhdLfyf6PTS7cQk65Hs6d0D-Sn037SiNJhu26KlbuzlGp_L1RUvdd8Gpz6hRHpPPyw4LblWKgXfqFhjWWbtahLZGPSxUorwo/s1600/jonah-whale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYCdJEk5_9X_979mFDkbJ9HFYFQX2M7_zBczuybCL270qhdLfyf6PTS7cQk65Hs6d0D-Sn037SiNJhu26KlbuzlGp_L1RUvdd8Gpz6hRHpPPyw4LblWKgXfqFhjWWbtahLZGPSxUorwo/s1600/jonah-whale.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
You could also wear a bathrobe, look really messy, and stick clumps of “seaweed” (green yarn) all over with a fake fish or two thrown in. Hold a sign that says, “On my way to Ninevah!” <br />
and you’re Jonah thrown up from the whale! lol<br />
<br />
Lords Army -You could all dress in army outfits and go as the Lords Army - This would be really cool idea for a youth group or a group of friends<br />
<br />
Delilah - Dress as a glamorized hair dresser. Make a big pair of scissors cut from cardboard and wrapped <br />
in aluminum foil. Stick some sparkly jewels on the scissors for added pizzazz <br />
Walk around all night going after the boys’ hair! Judges 16:4-21<br />
<br />
Lot’s wife - Go as a pile of salt . Genesis 19!<br />
<br />
Queen Esther -Wear a crown and a beautiful queen’s outfit. Her story is in the book of Esther. <br />
What a great role model for little girls!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUiT5FuOBw6qQj2CHpvQSG4NoTpF4YgyklX-xUPcd5nnpa6G1w0eKl3BN1bZi_pVCn98_R1B_OFzVjwYFjlVLpFHlB8zoRqZuoWrdux8hdDt_KcKKTkiC9d3bqqlpTgVPb3LziNo1ChA/s1600/pol_queen-esther-palin_jesus-jews-bible-story-mythology.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUiT5FuOBw6qQj2CHpvQSG4NoTpF4YgyklX-xUPcd5nnpa6G1w0eKl3BN1bZi_pVCn98_R1B_OFzVjwYFjlVLpFHlB8zoRqZuoWrdux8hdDt_KcKKTkiC9d3bqqlpTgVPb3LziNo1ChA/s400/pol_queen-esther-palin_jesus-jews-bible-story-mythology.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Put on your coolest spy gear, and you are Joshua and Caleb. <br />
Read about their ultimate spy mission in Numbers 13-14<br />
<br />
Wear a red shirt with a big letter ‘C’ on it! You are the RED SEA! - Great simple idea!<br />
<br />
Egyptians <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u7Eh1oQ1Al55feOt3uG1DPuB1NrOopwKhqkkMQCDbGhNmyi6Y8ulX8yQBAISnc-8nnUpVx5duwmoiIAWmB-jynI8fcwZiVsFbPn46lyQWzUPxc6-lN0Q_NxIRNlUxocpl59qlpvMDpI/s1600/IMG_9242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u7Eh1oQ1Al55feOt3uG1DPuB1NrOopwKhqkkMQCDbGhNmyi6Y8ulX8yQBAISnc-8nnUpVx5duwmoiIAWmB-jynI8fcwZiVsFbPn46lyQWzUPxc6-lN0Q_NxIRNlUxocpl59qlpvMDpI/s1600/IMG_9242.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Daniel in the Lions Den </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUiT5FuOBw6qQj2CHpvQSG4NoTpF4YgyklX-xUPcd5nnpa6G1w0eKl3BN1bZi_pVCn98_R1B_OFzVjwYFjlVLpFHlB8zoRqZuoWrdux8hdDt_KcKKTkiC9d3bqqlpTgVPb3LziNo1ChA/s1600/pol_queen-esther-palin_jesus-jews-bible-story-mythology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DoWAvMw6EDleylHQ_7JVHJgcBl5rgOQIRH8E-tozgHASswE7u8l7f1EnlM88RlImCMfkxPopv4B8AxPxQG_k_rT1Q5znK7U4Gy99lETX173P7OJZaG6Qc0gG7IYckGaB1jaYFcAj9tY/s1600/daniel+in+the+lions+den.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DoWAvMw6EDleylHQ_7JVHJgcBl5rgOQIRH8E-tozgHASswE7u8l7f1EnlM88RlImCMfkxPopv4B8AxPxQG_k_rT1Q5znK7U4Gy99lETX173P7OJZaG6Qc0gG7IYckGaB1jaYFcAj9tY/s1600/daniel+in+the+lions+den.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Veggie Tales...Very cute!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqEX6jYKmiTXfUYqztYU06hlmXIgV0N_h8fTKQegF4_VnRtF6bGC_j5cGRXn0I958nOMp8AzvHibe8e_QYSoHzkXcuZC0XFiX2FEN2ejR1KZw-Ew6AEAzNKWH26rspNL0fTaOcrYRFNg/s1600/Veggietales%252BTrunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqEX6jYKmiTXfUYqztYU06hlmXIgV0N_h8fTKQegF4_VnRtF6bGC_j5cGRXn0I958nOMp8AzvHibe8e_QYSoHzkXcuZC0XFiX2FEN2ejR1KZw-Ew6AEAzNKWH26rspNL0fTaOcrYRFNg/s320/Veggietales%252BTrunk.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Rock and Roll- Either of the below would work great, dress up as Rockers<br />
<br />
Reach<br />
Out<br />
For<br />
Christ’s<br />
Knowledge<br />
&<br />
Receive<br />
Our<br />
Lord’s<br />
Love<br />
<br />
or<br />
<br />
Rely<br />
On<br />
Christ’s<br />
Knowledge<br />
&<br />
Receive<br />
Our<br />
Lord’s<br />
Love<br />
<br />
Last but not least is the other one me and Tyler debated on doing...<br />
The Gates of Heaven <br />
We still possibly could do this one, but I really think we are going with the FROG idea since it'll be easier and cheaper to throw together....We can always this one next year. :0)<br />
<br />
The plan was to remove the back van seat.<br />
Hang a shimmery gold piece of fabric from the ceiling behind the first row of back seats, and shine a light from behind so it would make it appear to glow to the trick or treaters.<br />
We were going to get styrofoam balls and paint them with a pearly paint and use wooden skewers to make a set of "pearly gates"<br />
On the floor was going to be pillow stuffing and our fog machine to look like clouds<br />
Sitting in front of the gates was going to be Tyler dressed as Saint Peter (an old man in robes, carrying keys) holding a huge book (The Book Of Life)<br />
Then I was going to be dressed as an Angel to pass out candy<br />
I LOVED the idea, but the main problem I see is not possibly having access to an outlet to run the lights and fog machine..<br />
<br />
Hope someone can get some use out of these great Bible costume/ Trunk or Treat ideas!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
(The pictures above are not mine, and are not being represented as my own. They are pictures I found throughout the web last night while searching for ideas. I do not have referencing sites for the photos so if you are the owner of these pictures and want them removed then please let me know. Thanks!)Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-32462866051956045052011-09-21T12:29:00.003-05:002011-09-25T14:48:10.026-05:00Trunk or Treat Idea - For My Van This Year (tentatively)<div style="text-align: left;">I have to say this year I am getting really excited about Halloween! </div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the Holidays, but I usually don't get this excited about Halloween. </div><div style="text-align: left;">You still won't catch me going all crazy with decorations for my house (cause I hate to have to take them back down..lol), but I can't wait to get started making costumes!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the biggest things that has me excited(and nervous) this year is the new church we joined, Keck Avenue Baptist, is holding a Trunk or Treat on Halloween this year. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I honestly didn't even know what this was.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I had heard of them, but I've never been to one. So when they announced in church that they needed decorated trunks with candy, I assumed they meant small wooden or cardboard box trunks....</div><div style="text-align: left;">Boy, was I wrong! lol</div><div style="text-align: left;">They meant car trunks! How completely awesome is that?!?!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">From what I understand we are partnering with another neighborhood church and we are blocking off a section of road and lining the church members cars up the road with their trunks facing the road. Everyone then decorates their car trunks and passes out candy to the neighborhood kids as they come by. They are also going to be having food. Last year they said they went through 600 hot dogs and they ran out! That's an amazing number of people...</div><div style="text-align: left;">What an awesome way to reach out to the families in the surrounding neighborhood!</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I decided yesterday I better start planning out how I'm going to decorate my trunk so I have enough time(and money) to get it all made and together...So here's the plan I'm tentatively going with...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVE-3JSAIHnDsDGhCfiGcc18JSIoOvm8ByWiCtIB1oJM1fz2R2tFt1fHQRk3BXlOIpxuHlfnyqoTm8QNLt0bm3MSjDMwTF4KKmTRdwbBGeWORw8PKXirffLqWYudTkGgf9I4byQ246kl8/s1600/Fully+rely+on+god2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVE-3JSAIHnDsDGhCfiGcc18JSIoOvm8ByWiCtIB1oJM1fz2R2tFt1fHQRk3BXlOIpxuHlfnyqoTm8QNLt0bm3MSjDMwTF4KKmTRdwbBGeWORw8PKXirffLqWYudTkGgf9I4byQ246kl8/s400/Fully+rely+on+god2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I am going to use the acronym F.R.O.G <br />
Fully<br />
Rely<br />
On<br />
God<br />
I'm going to freezer paper stencil that on a sweatshirt for me to wear. I'm also going to throw on jeans, a cute frog hat similar to the picture below, and some form of cute frog shoes/boots that I come up with.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKoDGMxMycacf1Z15nNUka6U4d5xCel0mm6JwkuiR83Ee9IAR0G35TWXT6_B4n1ty1KTwtQCPrqzHBuRFeAAuETPeuu8-Q5k7R63a5m0dQ_NO6rc3Qqz67e2Xr4vmd1D5D5nDBymbLS8/s1600/Muppets_Kermit_Face_Laplander2_POP_111_175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKoDGMxMycacf1Z15nNUka6U4d5xCel0mm6JwkuiR83Ee9IAR0G35TWXT6_B4n1ty1KTwtQCPrqzHBuRFeAAuETPeuu8-Q5k7R63a5m0dQ_NO6rc3Qqz67e2Xr4vmd1D5D5nDBymbLS8/s400/Muppets_Kermit_Face_Laplander2_POP_111_175.jpg" width="253" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zzNkrctp49KBMlmLx9ZeL5pYBz_wmf2jX0C_cXp5W5FUvl1wwE41JQzMZ2soWTrEsAZlH4SYRyjBM222xX_MoTc7y7AqotXexyUjkobXTyktP05LHpbwgw3sLBeWHjXPzPMhuVUydXE/s1600/frog_80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zzNkrctp49KBMlmLx9ZeL5pYBz_wmf2jX0C_cXp5W5FUvl1wwE41JQzMZ2soWTrEsAZlH4SYRyjBM222xX_MoTc7y7AqotXexyUjkobXTyktP05LHpbwgw3sLBeWHjXPzPMhuVUydXE/s400/frog_80.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><br />
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As for decorating my van we're going to pop open the hatch, and cover it with a green (or painted green) tarp and add huge cardboard frog eyes to it similar to this pic...(just without the teeth and waves)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j0DE50rm4EY94FmUmrSWZBJ8O0ZTzHqP7vcqrGLMx3grIuCa-VLt_Mm0ysLIGkniaftMO91wHSXcDhftOlsM76xJswAJtkJxjrVHWeUib8Hg-um4VkWktuyMpFChl3XNDXyp65LhN2g/s1600/100_1957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j0DE50rm4EY94FmUmrSWZBJ8O0ZTzHqP7vcqrGLMx3grIuCa-VLt_Mm0ysLIGkniaftMO91wHSXcDhftOlsM76xJswAJtkJxjrVHWeUib8Hg-um4VkWktuyMpFChl3XNDXyp65LhN2g/s400/100_1957.jpg" width="373" /></a></div>Then we are going to make a tongue similar to the one in the picture below, but a lot longer to stick out from the floor of the van out onto the ground...inside will probably be covered in black, or maybe like black and pink like a throat...like tonsils? Do frogs even have tonsils?? oh well... Haven't got that all figured out yet...lol...Somewhere there will also be a poster with the FROG acronym and meaning on it so the kids understand the message behind it <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUq5faSnMG_z_Y7qnZc1v06aHTYpE_YUEfa9rn-mQoVD7qVAh03pDApTeT_LCoZr-ZUWEgKNcBG1yJfErWEaqvmVTAcw1gc07sl8fZEwKgS88zKWMtvxDyNRKjl8oqq_G3BDva5dvHMWY/s1600/tongue+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUq5faSnMG_z_Y7qnZc1v06aHTYpE_YUEfa9rn-mQoVD7qVAh03pDApTeT_LCoZr-ZUWEgKNcBG1yJfErWEaqvmVTAcw1gc07sl8fZEwKgS88zKWMtvxDyNRKjl8oqq_G3BDva5dvHMWY/s400/tongue+car.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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My oldest son Tyler got all excited along with me last night and we were up (way to late for a school night...oops) bouncing ideas off each other...We finally decided on the FROG idea, then he decided he wanted to dress up as a fly that's stuck to the frogs tongue. That's my boy! :0)...We are either going to have him setting in the back of the van on the tongue, or on a stool in front of the van with the tongue wrapped around him...possible holding a sign on a stick that says something to the effect that he's Fully Relying On God to help him out of his "sticky" situation...lol<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupyj4CI6CtF7V07oJ3nZJ4oRvhY46QR3eyu-QsorYoyvuVSC8y8o_JGwkcaaoGKsr5Kx1hcHOmvykUNESz8UqInzt9uDBCUz6eukQ4qzRD1TORrK1S26axIlwg8y9C5-ZK39jEa3tPIo/s1600/fanged-fly-costume-halloween-craft-photo-260-FF1001COSTA26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupyj4CI6CtF7V07oJ3nZJ4oRvhY46QR3eyu-QsorYoyvuVSC8y8o_JGwkcaaoGKsr5Kx1hcHOmvykUNESz8UqInzt9uDBCUz6eukQ4qzRD1TORrK1S26axIlwg8y9C5-ZK39jEa3tPIo/s1600/fanged-fly-costume-halloween-craft-photo-260-FF1001COSTA26.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupyj4CI6CtF7V07oJ3nZJ4oRvhY46QR3eyu-QsorYoyvuVSC8y8o_JGwkcaaoGKsr5Kx1hcHOmvykUNESz8UqInzt9uDBCUz6eukQ4qzRD1TORrK1S26axIlwg8y9C5-ZK39jEa3tPIo/s1600/fanged-fly-costume-halloween-craft-photo-260-FF1001COSTA26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>So that's the plan as of right now..We found so many others that we liked too, but I'll probably post them in a separate blog post since this one ended up a little longer than intended..lol<br />
I can't wait to get started on it all! Now I still have to figure out what my other two boys are going to be this year...<br />
<br />
UPDATE: I did end up writing another posts with some other ideas I had found and the other idea that was a maybe to do this year before we decided on the FROG theme...So click <a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-bible-costumes-trunk-or-treat.html">here</a> if you want to check out the other page also. Thanks! :0)<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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(The pictures above are not mine, and are not being represented as my own. They are pictures I found throughout the web last night while searching for ideas. I do not have referencing sites for the photos so if you are the owner of these pictures and want them removed then please let me know. Thanks!)Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-67073452141485710482011-09-19T13:54:00.001-05:002011-09-25T19:04:20.197-05:00Thrifty Finds - Week 1<div style="text-align: center;">I woke up Saturday morning in need of some serious retail therapy...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but unfortunately the budget wasn't going to allow for it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I decided to hit the thrift stores and see what I could find.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't be happier with everything I found! </div><div style="text-align: center;">To make it even better spent a whole whopping <span style="font-size: large;"><b>$6.21</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;">!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what I found:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxEiTkTOsJ-fN7AwVggdjBLpf2F_tC_lihsRONO2zWg_2gkf7rdUrifgQMTO4xRuvZvlLuuTd6pJ-bLfyioF2JFF-ZH9zXnP-_OmXD4pozdzo97yVUpOT_DRtYadxSC8I2dUZpH5PqCY/s1600/SANY0039-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxEiTkTOsJ-fN7AwVggdjBLpf2F_tC_lihsRONO2zWg_2gkf7rdUrifgQMTO4xRuvZvlLuuTd6pJ-bLfyioF2JFF-ZH9zXnP-_OmXD4pozdzo97yVUpOT_DRtYadxSC8I2dUZpH5PqCY/s320/SANY0039-retouch.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br />
I found this small glass cake dome with a wooden base. Very nice and heavy...<br />
The base needs some help though..It's solid wood and in good condition, it just has quite a few scratches.<br />
The plan for now is to sand down the base and refinish it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IKHQKjUVaqtaPEygjg2GF4IZMqkoagBnCHX-17k00ODgpkW8XTi0PXTRQ3fHCTHZiJlotLVjfSBRDYBydW5LuNF-F_twJmA8FgvcY4Qw3u6WAQXS_Ntttdiy7x1jOCyFgODzZRL4u28/s1600/SANY0058-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IKHQKjUVaqtaPEygjg2GF4IZMqkoagBnCHX-17k00ODgpkW8XTi0PXTRQ3fHCTHZiJlotLVjfSBRDYBydW5LuNF-F_twJmA8FgvcY4Qw3u6WAQXS_Ntttdiy7x1jOCyFgODzZRL4u28/s320/SANY0058-retouch.jpg" width="280" /></a></div> I couldn't resist this little pumpkin..I need more fall decor,<br />
just not sure yet if it's going to stay orange or get a coat of spray paint<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlzVa1u4-QccReBY-QEI4G5QBshFylgIsy_TlkZvg7QnCsoZslUnQSbvB6W9Xf388dVgU246aI386vWpAC3aqsNDv8DiU7lvOzqWiIBOpeqJ9lFCWJxV7l0hJVObxOOdWRGHDXl4glPo/s1600/SANY0061-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlzVa1u4-QccReBY-QEI4G5QBshFylgIsy_TlkZvg7QnCsoZslUnQSbvB6W9Xf388dVgU246aI386vWpAC3aqsNDv8DiU7lvOzqWiIBOpeqJ9lFCWJxV7l0hJVObxOOdWRGHDXl4glPo/s320/SANY0061-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqWksap-zpbzk7vUnOiTQNNKWsQCuwElLVM8osZfhyphenhyphenZVTAnywjEy7Dx_Gxvr2_LQL632f2yOxr_jSLbvWJeGa5dvcAiBRNKxFt7NkGWflUHIWx4eLVwfEzQAJFCMPSveczOgi-xzlXZ4/s1600/SANY0066-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqWksap-zpbzk7vUnOiTQNNKWsQCuwElLVM8osZfhyphenhyphenZVTAnywjEy7Dx_Gxvr2_LQL632f2yOxr_jSLbvWJeGa5dvcAiBRNKxFt7NkGWflUHIWx4eLVwfEzQAJFCMPSveczOgi-xzlXZ4/s320/SANY0066-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxEl5U0MB91wlDIgchTR9_fs4pzEr-_GhU7Hngrf31PcfoUcxik91zP5I8pqRCNWlLhlLjJvjCmui9EPsOF41C6BbS0Jb8SdHGbqTs1Elx_uPW5SrdRTzEDqXPZtXumT_CIYi483IgmI/s1600/SANY0068-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxEl5U0MB91wlDIgchTR9_fs4pzEr-_GhU7Hngrf31PcfoUcxik91zP5I8pqRCNWlLhlLjJvjCmui9EPsOF41C6BbS0Jb8SdHGbqTs1Elx_uPW5SrdRTzEDqXPZtXumT_CIYi483IgmI/s1600/SANY0068-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> LOVE all of these pans...<br />
and as you can see I couldn't pass any of them up.<br />
The really funny thing was I picked them up at 3 different Goodwills in town.<br />
I'm guessing they were all donated at once then split between the stores<br />
for $25-50 cents a piece I couldn't resist!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFniFU4RVCiVVOgcXnnglbH6QYBI2Rvi8aEtqZctYBV0rap1w7T9TMGWCuRbk87JkXa6g-W43BWZILuWr3-rPkCI_D1UmMxGUp6XO5TTQTXwE7-J9etIhBpBmUYsiyTU_0bSFiyGAMe_g/s1600/SANY0085-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFniFU4RVCiVVOgcXnnglbH6QYBI2Rvi8aEtqZctYBV0rap1w7T9TMGWCuRbk87JkXa6g-W43BWZILuWr3-rPkCI_D1UmMxGUp6XO5TTQTXwE7-J9etIhBpBmUYsiyTU_0bSFiyGAMe_g/s320/SANY0085-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Love this basket...I'm thinking it's going to get a coat of spray paint, and maybe a cute ribbon around the middle...then I'll probably use it for craft storage...maybe for my patterns?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw7YGC69CeVrDxPbkWV53qKPuFBRT4s2DDCIvcv_4JyeuySXlKHC5-z602_VWAhnxbQPMmGJf_8ZT2DEI_YBZk9EGZ84StWyKha6lBdSwPxS13uzYlon_0Wg81AI8dUXqmlcJubAideQ/s1600/SANY0077-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw7YGC69CeVrDxPbkWV53qKPuFBRT4s2DDCIvcv_4JyeuySXlKHC5-z602_VWAhnxbQPMmGJf_8ZT2DEI_YBZk9EGZ84StWyKha6lBdSwPxS13uzYlon_0Wg81AI8dUXqmlcJubAideQ/s320/SANY0077-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think these were my favorite find of the day! Vintage patterns! I usually don't use patterns, and some of these will need to be modified but at 10 cents a piece there was no way they weren't coming home with me!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it's amazing how the styles eventually seem to come back around...My favorite is the Butterick woman's pattern ...I LOVE longer sweaters with front pockets for winter!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! :0)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-43326511282629879392011-09-17T00:50:00.002-05:002011-09-21T12:41:16.727-05:00Yarn Wreath TutorialI love seeing all the Fall wreaths floating around in blogland...<br />
I've honestly never been much of a wreath person, but I have loved the yarn and felt ones I've seen this year...so I decided to dig into my stash and see if I could find the stuff to make one without me having to buy anything...and I succeeded!<br />
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I started out by hunting around for something to make my wreath form out of...I ended up using this old basket weaving kit...<br />
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Looking back now, I probably should have just went and bought an actual wreath form, but It was late and I didn't feel like going into town...lol...so this did work ok in a pinch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkdfr-sFXZ9WroxBXlMMMt97-8s02i-kgpuKQjVOTx_KFbOEf2s1Hux-Tz_kwv-RhVBGOoo-6C8NZPo0XnIQ6IUp6KaOJFLB4hJiooki7FFSidMzosaeYuDQGN8VRXrmHpNYkaeCcG9w/s1600/SANY0030-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkdfr-sFXZ9WroxBXlMMMt97-8s02i-kgpuKQjVOTx_KFbOEf2s1Hux-Tz_kwv-RhVBGOoo-6C8NZPo0XnIQ6IUp6KaOJFLB4hJiooki7FFSidMzosaeYuDQGN8VRXrmHpNYkaeCcG9w/s320/SANY0030-retouch.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>I cut and wrapped pieces until I had the shape like i wanted it... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9vaMPhKzATmv7LMsMA8WJU8bIs4a6eShF1LL23mp6ZetM_I7YCH5M0boh6FOrRfe0ZrqzHuYja0KzOmrW_HQkfQ_fInUzXP6UJRs_ZHCqjpEVL40MLOBGUw5G526TcFJK11gOK0XwiM/s1600/SANY0002-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9vaMPhKzATmv7LMsMA8WJU8bIs4a6eShF1LL23mp6ZetM_I7YCH5M0boh6FOrRfe0ZrqzHuYja0KzOmrW_HQkfQ_fInUzXP6UJRs_ZHCqjpEVL40MLOBGUw5G526TcFJK11gOK0XwiM/s320/SANY0002-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then I wrapped the entire thing with duct tape..I did this so I wouldn't have pieces of wood sticking out in odd places, and it just made it easier to wrap with the yarn since the surface is now smooth...<br />
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In this step you can see the problem I ran into by not using a wreath form...There's a big bump where I had to join the two ends to create my circle...I almost stopped working on it, then I decided that's just where I'll put my flowers..lol :0)...Problem solved!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw07oljGPSLAglG9NoIWQzXOJ-SczwpUQYQyzi9v6r30_8V6PCpzwM1pHgFNNuyj5J-YqFfZW15dDO_EEwnp-m4tr_khoE692furnEA2CGlFWaNsr9KNLWtjVtAmS0CKVlZLkQevc3wDQ/s1600/SANY0004-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw07oljGPSLAglG9NoIWQzXOJ-SczwpUQYQyzi9v6r30_8V6PCpzwM1pHgFNNuyj5J-YqFfZW15dDO_EEwnp-m4tr_khoE692furnEA2CGlFWaNsr9KNLWtjVtAmS0CKVlZLkQevc3wDQ/s320/SANY0004-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I used this Vanna's Choice yarn in Color 13 Dusty Green<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbE2mRgNhaqdAy-WFpMjC2ODozhaUM6ogh_EEydSIHOIGdx2V_ypitUROCV4FWtdmM0I2hBX6Ie0UkJc8euE7DE-9hB0vh2yzCxT4gL3ucYe8iGcsssPg9GhMkr11n0qWb_emXplvxlQ/s1600/SANY0010-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbE2mRgNhaqdAy-WFpMjC2ODozhaUM6ogh_EEydSIHOIGdx2V_ypitUROCV4FWtdmM0I2hBX6Ie0UkJc8euE7DE-9hB0vh2yzCxT4gL3ucYe8iGcsssPg9GhMkr11n0qWb_emXplvxlQ/s320/SANY0010-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>To wrap it start by tying a knot around your wreath form.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSuLd5yvNO3CZw_cTX76D70fuZlSOvxgcggImfhOmDwjspsOIKs9AH2P1WzDLNDqojkGPy2dF6VnouLVmR6VBr1xDPDq74uA01LIh4Z9Zrw9a_2EQ36ZblQeqhcHTu2GC9DWEKBviZas/s1600/SANY0014-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSuLd5yvNO3CZw_cTX76D70fuZlSOvxgcggImfhOmDwjspsOIKs9AH2P1WzDLNDqojkGPy2dF6VnouLVmR6VBr1xDPDq74uA01LIh4Z9Zrw9a_2EQ36ZblQeqhcHTu2GC9DWEKBviZas/s320/SANY0014-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then just continue to wrap, and wrap, and wrap...be very careful to line each row up to the next so it stays nice and neat. This step will take a while...It took me a little over an hour, and I wrapped it while I was watching tv...The bigger your form though the longer it will take and the more yarn it will use.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMUcba-G6xv5WEojbhS-N2kxi4cwGAdKzrPd8ItKhx-t9ATnp5hf7yX9OCEE67Ud7H0wYmA64eh0M-5c7jwDUqKS2xvnGgNX15zq4tolYriHVyX5HVCs7dTE6r8320GJRgB8I_L-R0OU/s1600/SANY0017-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMUcba-G6xv5WEojbhS-N2kxi4cwGAdKzrPd8ItKhx-t9ATnp5hf7yX9OCEE67Ud7H0wYmA64eh0M-5c7jwDUqKS2xvnGgNX15zq4tolYriHVyX5HVCs7dTE6r8320GJRgB8I_L-R0OU/s320/SANY0017-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's what mine looked like when I was done wrapping it. Make sure and knot off your yarn on the back of your wreath and tuck in your yarn ends.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzXFxHEC7-kGJOPQXvcvaPY82lFoOVxmV8KJ7fUNQThTXsiXFqzBeaROvwDb22EL1E3VOXiR8jFa3J31hMufrQBbG-H1gCrlajq6OLwzzp6oYXm2COeVUg5RxlGBcCvcaNFNuAbsepEA/s1600/SANY0022-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzXFxHEC7-kGJOPQXvcvaPY82lFoOVxmV8KJ7fUNQThTXsiXFqzBeaROvwDb22EL1E3VOXiR8jFa3J31hMufrQBbG-H1gCrlajq6OLwzzp6oYXm2COeVUg5RxlGBcCvcaNFNuAbsepEA/s320/SANY0022-retouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The next step I did was to hot glue on my felt flowers.<br />
I haven't made a tutorial yet on how I made the felt flowers, but I will link it to this post once I have.<br />
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Here's my finished wreath...I have to say for the first wreath I've ever made I'm pretty happy overall how it turned out. :0)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlqto-nyVPtz_vZJtqh57pX8s2Kq9Q-AcURYsiW2HWXt69ys613v2Paox8KkvIpA2DHc0Phpb2F3egYguUy3NOoFEd5qhseNdfYh03XfVFgK5y5BGnjx9UXjxBZhYrHZBLgTSjBzMHo0/s1600/SANY0003+%25282%2529-retouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlqto-nyVPtz_vZJtqh57pX8s2Kq9Q-AcURYsiW2HWXt69ys613v2Paox8KkvIpA2DHc0Phpb2F3egYguUy3NOoFEd5qhseNdfYh03XfVFgK5y5BGnjx9UXjxBZhYrHZBLgTSjBzMHo0/s320/SANY0003+%25282%2529-retouch.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-86349972908207841382011-09-14T17:36:00.000-05:002011-09-14T17:36:46.323-05:00My new FREE pianoI'm so excited!...and a little sore...lol<br />
I've been watching our local Craigslist and the yahoo group freecycle for a piano, and I finally found one! I wanted a decent piano that I could teach my boys to play on that wouldn't require a lot of work to get it working...<br />
I know, asking a lot right? <br />
Well I finally found one...and my brother(the best brother in the world) went with me yesterday to go pick it up.<br />
It ended up being a four and a half hour ordeal but the two of us finally got it loaded and unloaded at my house...That suckers a LOT heavier than it looks...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIEJLbm4ta83CIxCxFK2xfxx_A3_Wk6Ed_YSBOQy7Z85oMz5gY-AlgpdiTaBu9mzbuDvTv-B4IPHD3xRi1MdQ6cKigO-H_rEHQ40Cdt1T5UbUS6Sph592KGKQcw71jDrnKo__pu6B3t0/s1600/SANY0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIEJLbm4ta83CIxCxFK2xfxx_A3_Wk6Ed_YSBOQy7Z85oMz5gY-AlgpdiTaBu9mzbuDvTv-B4IPHD3xRi1MdQ6cKigO-H_rEHQ40Cdt1T5UbUS6Sph592KGKQcw71jDrnKo__pu6B3t0/s400/SANY0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>He even dusted it<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnznQO_QiissIJKNwO_8CwwcmB1RC0UKHP9QxYaL8SDVVG6Ptq3HGZZS6RazpZP8xZ4USAmAvWwQXKW-RiJ1mReRi7Yj81dXf34548Kss5XbIjhv42C3H8uPcCzNZlzSU4vBHxffNwgs/s1600/SANY0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnznQO_QiissIJKNwO_8CwwcmB1RC0UKHP9QxYaL8SDVVG6Ptq3HGZZS6RazpZP8xZ4USAmAvWwQXKW-RiJ1mReRi7Yj81dXf34548Kss5XbIjhv42C3H8uPcCzNZlzSU4vBHxffNwgs/s400/SANY0037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> and vacuumed it out for me!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqic1ngorMmKLI7ayBuAI1R4zEcdBTfNtH1eu58ZVm2tVWFk3oZfDnYh40eUQk6inOXDSZlKokxIvtS-eW1eJ5LGL_jHIIUhLUdTsv8rTruuWo9hwLoD-71R8nzdfHDIrnJPrW3s6UfRc/s1600/SANY0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqic1ngorMmKLI7ayBuAI1R4zEcdBTfNtH1eu58ZVm2tVWFk3oZfDnYh40eUQk6inOXDSZlKokxIvtS-eW1eJ5LGL_jHIIUhLUdTsv8rTruuWo9hwLoD-71R8nzdfHDIrnJPrW3s6UfRc/s400/SANY0042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8Q80qTxRcYNYw19PyPXpczot-GgRP1YvmUxu00QgX1SB1Am_Zo5Y4pr3gdo4m-qLi-vfS1O2Zerlae2koxW-TNdBSgIlpTb2nz5JONG9l3cc9IEJmpYppQtaTSKSkus6rPKJq52we70/s1600/SANY0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8Q80qTxRcYNYw19PyPXpczot-GgRP1YvmUxu00QgX1SB1Am_Zo5Y4pr3gdo4m-qLi-vfS1O2Zerlae2koxW-TNdBSgIlpTb2nz5JONG9l3cc9IEJmpYppQtaTSKSkus6rPKJq52we70/s400/SANY0055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Love my piano, and my brother!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-82591768849155773332011-09-09T17:11:00.001-05:002011-09-09T22:55:44.738-05:00Where were you?September 11, 2001...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TPWSDT4ItWsuHVOT-WvuDLk3FvCVWV5I3QdLFZsIB8e7p0-nLt9ni9lT8v9BgFj9qEAQbjUtUJHSvobsFrXwPsAZAweWBxiE6nLDBWCd1sxositzAyRDvPLSKsOmJFz8ln637XAJ7j0/s1600/ms-911-flag-september11.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TPWSDT4ItWsuHVOT-WvuDLk3FvCVWV5I3QdLFZsIB8e7p0-nLt9ni9lT8v9BgFj9qEAQbjUtUJHSvobsFrXwPsAZAweWBxiE6nLDBWCd1sxositzAyRDvPLSKsOmJFz8ln637XAJ7j0/s400/ms-911-flag-september11.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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There are very few days in a persons life that they can recall exactly what they were doing on a particular date and time...September 11, 2001, is one of those days.<br />
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For me, like most people, it started out a normal day. I dropped my kids off at daycare then went to work. I remember my boss got a phone call from someone telling him to turn on the news. He called all of us into his office to see the TV and we all watched in a shocked silence at the horrific scene that was unfolding before us.<br />
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We didn't get much work done that day. Everyone spent more time watching the news than anything. Watching the planes hit the towers, and then watching the towers collapse was gut wrenching...I'm pretty sure it was that way to most people. When I got back to the home daycare I remember sitting down watching the coverage with my friend, the woman who ran the daycare, and she had tears streaming down her face.<br />
It was just that kind of day.<br />
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My biggest memory from that day wasn't so much the day itself as it was the days following...I remember hearing President Bush on the radio. Regardless of your political views, he was one person, to me, who when he gave a speech could actually make my eyes well up with tears, and make me so proud to be an American and to belong to this great nation. It was the only time that I can remember (in my 31 yrs) that our nation seemed to come together to help and support each other regardless of race, political views, or even religion. We were just Americans feeling sorrow, hurt, anger, and we were scared to death it could happen again...<br />
But as a nation, we were united and determined to rebuild, and never forget the lives lost and the many heroes of that day.<br />
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To me and my family September 11, 2011, will be a very hard day. Not because it's the 10 year anniversary, or even because we lost someone to the towers...we didn't...what we did loose though was one of my heroes, my grandfather, on that very same day 1 year ago.<br />
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It is so hard to believe that it has been a year already since he's been gone. I still can't think or talk about him (or apparently type..lol) without starting to cry...<br />
He left a large, unfillable, hole in our family when he passed on. They just don't make men like him anymore...I know he's pain-free, and in a much better place now, but it doesn't make loosing him any easier. I still miss him everyday.<br />
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September 11, no matter the year, will be difficult to a lot of people for a lot of different reasons, and a day that will not be forgotten.<br />
Take the day to spend time with your family, hug your kids a little tighter, and be thankful that God has blessed you with another day on this earth with your loved ones.<br />
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Also take the time to do something nice for someone today..If everyone did this then our nation could come together and it not take a tragedy to make it happen. I made my pledge..have you? <a href="http://www.klove.com/ministry/make-a-difference.aspx">K-Love make a Difference in a Million Lives</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTidCaM_5_1SdUmCzueHWkr1Qc3usHNxXYvGiKV_ZT1s9XcoPlNrC_74I3JnIToKP-aGhnysEnUswfxfjMMGGzslfi9OoXhxGbtaiz0uwoJMZjY1mxSRaZy5WHKFVZQcU8IQbIIcaYWY/s1600/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTidCaM_5_1SdUmCzueHWkr1Qc3usHNxXYvGiKV_ZT1s9XcoPlNrC_74I3JnIToKP-aGhnysEnUswfxfjMMGGzslfi9OoXhxGbtaiz0uwoJMZjY1mxSRaZy5WHKFVZQcU8IQbIIcaYWY/s320/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTidCaM_5_1SdUmCzueHWkr1Qc3usHNxXYvGiKV_ZT1s9XcoPlNrC_74I3JnIToKP-aGhnysEnUswfxfjMMGGzslfi9OoXhxGbtaiz0uwoJMZjY1mxSRaZy5WHKFVZQcU8IQbIIcaYWY/s1600/D0414DCE07965EF209451086DFE5785D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> If you haven't heard this song yet check it out....<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c9PwWkV4HQ4" width="420"></iframe><br />
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And these next two are for Grandpa...It was two of his favorite songs. I love you.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fioeeiRU4ug" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hWYZLsjVhcw" width="420"></iframe><br />
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and because I couldn't resist...lol..this is one of my favorites...at 7, this girl has the voice of an angel! :0)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DDDlxmsciqY" width="560"></iframe>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-63052268237381306212011-09-09T13:23:00.000-05:002011-09-09T13:23:45.988-05:00Holy Crap...Christmas is coming up fast!<span style="color: #cc0000;">Holy Crap!!! I've just realized there is only 106 days left until Christmas Eve!</span><br />
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To some of you that probably seems like a lot of time, and to me it usually would too....<br />
But this year, like I say every year(and never do) I'm going to have it all done <u><span style="color: red;">BEFORE </span></u> Christmas Eve...<br />
To those of you who know me...stop laughing....lol...I really am this year! :0)<br />
But ..that leads to the next problem...what the heck am I going to make?<br />
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I always try to make the majority of my gifts every year, and I try to make a little something for everyone. I will buy the majority of my boys gifts, but I love giving something handmade to all our relatives.<br />
I like to think its a way to save money, and some years it is...some years it would have been way cheaper to just buy everyone something...but honestly I enjoy making the gifts, and I think theres just something really special about recieving a gift that you know someone made just especially for you, because they care...and I like to spread that feeling around on Christmas :0)<br />
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So back to the problem at hand...What the heck am I making this year? Honestly I haven't a clue, but thanks to my new found, time-wasting love... Pinterest...I do have some ideas...<a href="http://pinterest.com/hflotamoore/christmas-ideas/">Here's a link to my Christmas ideas board</a><br />
But here's my top favorites I've found so far...<br />
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For the kids in the family: <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBWdmx9bTVa9zNYZWEmHPypt8FbqTdlZ6F4FyrjsL2UawRfZMPsEJBHGg_kOYyHv79yMHHmScVYF7NOuYiz4UeidUnAmWJbmHFUij6Bal55yMyWgjqpDdWhZy3orzwlJtPsOmBxOC_sM/s1600/appliqued+pillowcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBWdmx9bTVa9zNYZWEmHPypt8FbqTdlZ6F4FyrjsL2UawRfZMPsEJBHGg_kOYyHv79yMHHmScVYF7NOuYiz4UeidUnAmWJbmHFUij6Bal55yMyWgjqpDdWhZy3orzwlJtPsOmBxOC_sM/s400/appliqued+pillowcase.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Name appliqued pillowcase</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlmvUWnRBWcLtq-oo8vfLVxncf5wwV8D8gCtNJAEuafGh5sElBeuq0yOyh9Uu2zxyMrp7wp9zXIBxJKZOn08lKks-wnf6yXBIJFP9Nu8wvg40K1EU3M7onryQXZfTkH1mzR8KyyphJJ0/s1600/pajama+monsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlmvUWnRBWcLtq-oo8vfLVxncf5wwV8D8gCtNJAEuafGh5sElBeuq0yOyh9Uu2zxyMrp7wp9zXIBxJKZOn08lKks-wnf6yXBIJFP9Nu8wvg40K1EU3M7onryQXZfTkH1mzR8KyyphJJ0/s400/pajama+monsters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.J. Eaters...hold PJ's so the kids can find them at night...super cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIB996nCfUe_DtIKw52293bXes_KJcP0P31cjEJ6Qz8-_lv6m9wo-I309YXp-j7IyUXp3e0BVdA4Ic5tx7q12_5Mnl28l56wuD72mo9qUomg3JfaCMPrcSIDqvIa7rnjgopoxKkFK5d4/s1600/iphone+ipod+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIB996nCfUe_DtIKw52293bXes_KJcP0P31cjEJ6Qz8-_lv6m9wo-I309YXp-j7IyUXp3e0BVdA4Ic5tx7q12_5Mnl28l56wuD72mo9qUomg3JfaCMPrcSIDqvIa7rnjgopoxKkFK5d4/s400/iphone+ipod+case.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iphone/ Ipod case</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
For the ladies...maybe homemade bath baskets?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrv2P-sQhOpUmHUKy1cyQYDCkrnGUuffNiYqRl0kI7qwbS3YPCBvK2lWlkzbPdDI9R2PmZKWcx4oM23M9IodNOtY-8aqa-0Ohw1C8H5VyKkhCj4WcU5pVy6c7B4kJH70i6bkL7DGGRyY/s1600/bath+fizies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrv2P-sQhOpUmHUKy1cyQYDCkrnGUuffNiYqRl0kI7qwbS3YPCBvK2lWlkzbPdDI9R2PmZKWcx4oM23M9IodNOtY-8aqa-0Ohw1C8H5VyKkhCj4WcU5pVy6c7B4kJH70i6bkL7DGGRyY/s400/bath+fizies.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Square bath fizzies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w9UcuP4owVEFix2gAHcxeahcOwAs2UPncrYUpz1jTi-CVTRLK5N0HmjNqZxMC6f1v_b2MAYXmWkm4kY670iGYEXD278oueuckv-VLcFcBrTweu7lDwQxJxmeS_AmcIGTGOpFOC4PEdY/s1600/bath+fizzie+balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w9UcuP4owVEFix2gAHcxeahcOwAs2UPncrYUpz1jTi-CVTRLK5N0HmjNqZxMC6f1v_b2MAYXmWkm4kY670iGYEXD278oueuckv-VLcFcBrTweu7lDwQxJxmeS_AmcIGTGOpFOC4PEdY/s400/bath+fizzie+balls.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round bath fizzies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TljN8eRtaYaV8N_zdaAqpw3kfkpXe2YVMJBdG6FKhtbK00CC3Gdo3YS5vwEVqwTBq4AUqsoFpUjSHqNFmFPz_h7KxngeuaEDzLEKnGubpIIVsYK5J5vgbJS0QiyVFc3rWm2ydmFpf4M/s1600/japanese+motif+soaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TljN8eRtaYaV8N_zdaAqpw3kfkpXe2YVMJBdG6FKhtbK00CC3Gdo3YS5vwEVqwTBq4AUqsoFpUjSHqNFmFPz_h7KxngeuaEDzLEKnGubpIIVsYK5J5vgbJS0QiyVFc3rWm2ydmFpf4M/s400/japanese+motif+soaps.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese motive soaps</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVl3j38_j3Vkgi_HGA2ZYNe0kW1mUm4vC6-UshungdpVNJmn9Si0KXwm7c4K53WSwtD8sXbtiOFBlBv1jm7F3cvnnexYx3Oe0qNg1W0t6Brb4w0ldkwD2f3loA46pRtB7VcXoOO86hDs/s1600/pantry+soaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVl3j38_j3Vkgi_HGA2ZYNe0kW1mUm4vC6-UshungdpVNJmn9Si0KXwm7c4K53WSwtD8sXbtiOFBlBv1jm7F3cvnnexYx3Oe0qNg1W0t6Brb4w0ldkwD2f3loA46pRtB7VcXoOO86hDs/s400/pantry+soaps.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pantry soaps</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
or maybe baskets of Vanilla products?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSpKrF5pj63bVGNr7QghUDp8vIL8LbhXkUR1438GR9HqPmiv3o672MfPMMLndyHGYxrkBcDNn5z1CYbI2wGaUJmH-NYXRHjNckmcersxasmfOhHZL7NaDkyyq1UG3KXTcuzzM0UCNHO4/s1600/homemade+vanilla+extract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSpKrF5pj63bVGNr7QghUDp8vIL8LbhXkUR1438GR9HqPmiv3o672MfPMMLndyHGYxrkBcDNn5z1CYbI2wGaUJmH-NYXRHjNckmcersxasmfOhHZL7NaDkyyq1UG3KXTcuzzM0UCNHO4/s400/homemade+vanilla+extract.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Vanilla extract - would have to be made now though..takes 2-3 months!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDLkJa1yRZTdnefr2nQfwBqI6z9m-YdWTmbDiqz7ANtoRfuZeiV4oLyUgGojkW5osOeTqmXkYGWf56KcpXMEkbvrQj4e-t7Pyh5BGuRua8PIG_4yOcNVQ330ityLXucB4xt4h-Pz8eTs/s1600/vanilla+brown+sugar+body+scrub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDLkJa1yRZTdnefr2nQfwBqI6z9m-YdWTmbDiqz7ANtoRfuZeiV4oLyUgGojkW5osOeTqmXkYGWf56KcpXMEkbvrQj4e-t7Pyh5BGuRua8PIG_4yOcNVQ330ityLXucB4xt4h-Pz8eTs/s400/vanilla+brown+sugar+body+scrub.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla brown sugar body scrub</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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and for the guys I really have no idea, except maybe one of these for my dad...who loves coffee cups, or maybe even add one of his many funny quotes to it<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyq6qs43FacUiN8dT5m3AxnpWIJ_wwYkr63xTuyaA1MAa6wDo4FHJ6DEPIsNM5rJiT9Z9Fm2SUHQ7r3-2UQ0gPVFWaHCSDh-NfbZR4wjOa7etbSJnRQ1jY5LtKfp-wfTN6zyOf-PBOZ0/s1600/coffee+mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyq6qs43FacUiN8dT5m3AxnpWIJ_wwYkr63xTuyaA1MAa6wDo4FHJ6DEPIsNM5rJiT9Z9Fm2SUHQ7r3-2UQ0gPVFWaHCSDh-NfbZR4wjOa7etbSJnRQ1jY5LtKfp-wfTN6zyOf-PBOZ0/s1600/coffee+mug.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So those are my ideas so far...Anyone else planning on making Christmas gifts? and if so have you figured out what you're making yet?<br />
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P.S...all these pictures I found on Pinterest...I'm not linking each picture back to its original site, but if you follow the link I placed above to my Pinterest Christmas ideas page then you can click on the pictures and go to the links that way. (I don't want anyone to get upset for posting their stuff without them getting credit!)Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-81161278656884095882011-09-07T13:04:00.000-05:002011-09-07T13:04:26.137-05:00Decorated Chip Clips( clothespin) TutorialToday's project is really simple and I think they turned out really cute.<br />
I desperately needed clips for my chip bags, but it never fails...When I need one, I can't find one.<br />
I've seen lots of stuff on the web about different ways to decorate clothes pins, so I picked up a pack of 50 for $1 at the dollar store and decided to decorate them to make myself cute chip clips.<br />
So here's how I did it...<br />
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I started out with some coordinating pieces of scrapbook paper that I've had in my sewing closet forever.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq2UVWjfIgasmklc0Ie4QY6m68nwBT_RIqEPrtDwWMHbmetyKWiwiT_WBiRsnFXTQLhyphenhyphenh4m460PrFq2FoVourRC6tGwGagMhj3HEUqum5n0luGr7Ln1q0b8szwwJV2YaVlLH0YKjuWoY/s1600/SANY0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq2UVWjfIgasmklc0Ie4QY6m68nwBT_RIqEPrtDwWMHbmetyKWiwiT_WBiRsnFXTQLhyphenhyphenh4m460PrFq2FoVourRC6tGwGagMhj3HEUqum5n0luGr7Ln1q0b8szwwJV2YaVlLH0YKjuWoY/s400/SANY0012.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Then I gathered my clothes pins on a cutting board , my homemade Mod Podge (<a href="http://simplymommy-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-mod-podge.html">click here for recipe</a>)and paint brush, and an X-Acto knife<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqC8ewsCqdpAXEkGeiRtK-jesgXtpZ4Dcs1TQHOdblboxjHOatnccfWlWJXIvwD5NUpMLrDjbFvwPrQOouLUEbgur9lscRX8EGJP67jMeW4kjDKmP99acgaO6ETgELIsbD80ZdjGHxQI/s1600/SANY0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqC8ewsCqdpAXEkGeiRtK-jesgXtpZ4Dcs1TQHOdblboxjHOatnccfWlWJXIvwD5NUpMLrDjbFvwPrQOouLUEbgur9lscRX8EGJP67jMeW4kjDKmP99acgaO6ETgELIsbD80ZdjGHxQI/s400/SANY0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NYadw-GcbL3RFJzlnk0ooFEjJjrjl3XHj6M2XnOAziJ52zcsH0zeY5IxcGFwejoPs84YYE9jUGpFN2wHu8xOywdBGAPrsUVLZyTtQCoePrQaGhyP8Ch-K2VdvoScgl_MhAakWs7yJAU/s1600/SANY0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NYadw-GcbL3RFJzlnk0ooFEjJjrjl3XHj6M2XnOAziJ52zcsH0zeY5IxcGFwejoPs84YYE9jUGpFN2wHu8xOywdBGAPrsUVLZyTtQCoePrQaGhyP8Ch-K2VdvoScgl_MhAakWs7yJAU/s400/SANY0029.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZD60Mnw9UfAOZExyFvM07k5NzDPolfOxreAXK8NMk_IJkzUazLiXMqV86EiGyxtTtrZZMT4QLh_uJxnk1qIwGzdiw7X4KpVHFWiV9HHsrZmSLshOdHtyWCR10tBFy6c5P4oKCniR2G4/s1600/SANY0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZD60Mnw9UfAOZExyFvM07k5NzDPolfOxreAXK8NMk_IJkzUazLiXMqV86EiGyxtTtrZZMT4QLh_uJxnk1qIwGzdiw7X4KpVHFWiV9HHsrZmSLshOdHtyWCR10tBFy6c5P4oKCniR2G4/s400/SANY0030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The next step is really simple, unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it...<br />
Brush on a thin layer of your Mod Podge onto one side of your clothespin.<br />
Place that glue side down onto the back side of the scrapbooking paper you are using.<br />
Then use your X-Acto knife to cut around the clothespin.<br />
Use your finger to make sure that the paper is on there smoothly.<br />
Do that to the other side of the clothes pin also.<br />
Brush Mod Podge over the top of the scrapbook paper to seal. Make sure to pay close attention to the sides to make sure they get covered.<br />
Let them dry<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojnfsoAgy9Ow2EzbQNiMViGrYmnp5PCdFf4QUegEhH0aWY6ZAinoTVJSFyo1JQPa2m1SgiLcA6E5oMk8iGg7_EuMjDMguFfAzMkHQ1TC_YBMlusXwy4tDbk8LczS72wS8nHn-6XGpahw/s1600/SANY0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojnfsoAgy9Ow2EzbQNiMViGrYmnp5PCdFf4QUegEhH0aWY6ZAinoTVJSFyo1JQPa2m1SgiLcA6E5oMk8iGg7_EuMjDMguFfAzMkHQ1TC_YBMlusXwy4tDbk8LczS72wS8nHn-6XGpahw/s400/SANY0050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Once they were dry I put them in a glass jar I also got from the dollar store for $4.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3Re-FWx-PQddSihSPErp1DUv2hM9KPqN9ykmlY2rCvAVmmCM-hGmOm9Q5temlbu0zr8G12tg7Iw6Ltd89qn9VTWBtO-ax6GbWyuYJlSmdsr8tL3FlgBvcXe0wrffg1mMwOnU-ddxIL4/s1600/SANY0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3Re-FWx-PQddSihSPErp1DUv2hM9KPqN9ykmlY2rCvAVmmCM-hGmOm9Q5temlbu0zr8G12tg7Iw6Ltd89qn9VTWBtO-ax6GbWyuYJlSmdsr8tL3FlgBvcXe0wrffg1mMwOnU-ddxIL4/s400/SANY0037.JPG" width="210" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm not sure that I really need 50 chip clips, lol, but this way at least hopefully when I need one there will be plenty in the kitchen. Even better is that I spent $5 total for 50 clips! That's 10 cents a clip! Definitely couldn't have bought that many for that cheap in the store!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo-ztEfx3iqXBV9WgE_tH7fRlmv65Q5cMEXcLsPTf0nmSIrvJbiX1eRQgzoo-tJRmD4GSRVitotuUElrLf6ACbLtIJdGoveOVIJ5CKALutf3CLSHvTFpgKe7CJfILN8i_Mny3BE9xl7Y/s1600/SANY0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo-ztEfx3iqXBV9WgE_tH7fRlmv65Q5cMEXcLsPTf0nmSIrvJbiX1eRQgzoo-tJRmD4GSRVitotuUElrLf6ACbLtIJdGoveOVIJ5CKALutf3CLSHvTFpgKe7CJfILN8i_Mny3BE9xl7Y/s400/SANY0055.JPG" width="183" /></a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-12659944082213820092011-09-07T13:01:00.000-05:002011-09-07T13:01:41.714-05:00Homemade Mod PodgeI had a huge bottle of Mod Podge somewhere...Where that place is though, I have no idea...<br />
Do you ever have that problem???<br />
It can't be just me...lol<br />
It drives me crazy! I swear I've seen the bottle somewhere, but when I needed it last night of course its no where to be found...So I made my own so I wouldn't have to make a trip into town.<br />
It's super easy, cheap, and the best part was I already had everything I needed at home to make it!<br />
<br />
To make your own you will need:<br />
<br />
Elmers permanent white glue or any cheap brand will work too (Just make sure it's permanent,not washable!)<br />
mason jar with lid<br />
water<br />
varnish (optional)<br />
<br />
<br />
In your mason jar mix 3 parts white glue with 1 part water.<br />
You can add more water if needed ..you want it to have a runny paint like consistency.<br />
It will look a little filmy when you put it on, but it will dry clear.<br />
Make sure and let it dry in between coats.<br />
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<br />
I have also read that you can use the following to make glossy Mod Podge, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. If you do let me know how it works!<br />
1 cup White permanent glue<br />
1/3 cup of water<br />
2 tbsp of varnish<br />
Mix and store in a mason jarHeather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-17327644789846966522011-09-06T14:24:00.000-05:002011-09-06T14:24:05.899-05:00Happy Labor Day....a day late...I'm a day late, but I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day!<br />
We celebrated it with my family on Sunday instead of yesterday. My mom and grandma went to church with us, then we went to my moms house for lunch. It was really nice to have the whole day to visit and catch up...Here's a few pictures from our day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIG8vq4a6JgENmRtdqax2_0knAUGZqc04cgzFCvFGaXovsb4LkT8GenEljIFdSRlwLzGCTTdHb6O3TP81fNKq8eQNK5OO7CSHKT5D8oATpTQdsnqrDoG21yDCPUw99AHI7G8U9j1b5Lg/s1600/SANY0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIG8vq4a6JgENmRtdqax2_0knAUGZqc04cgzFCvFGaXovsb4LkT8GenEljIFdSRlwLzGCTTdHb6O3TP81fNKq8eQNK5OO7CSHKT5D8oATpTQdsnqrDoG21yDCPUw99AHI7G8U9j1b5Lg/s400/SANY0176.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother eating all the cheeseball!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfejfuys6uEldFiorY3QdgqTQoNsUExaqJsiWw-rEMLKv1DxWqWNIcezPoyAtqIkV83ohJQLo5QBYGAd7g5e28m0kerBTa_NyexuL1RIr9Jf6iB7lX_OiGgilw1E326Gzb2xSZdFrtIHI/s1600/SANY0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfejfuys6uEldFiorY3QdgqTQoNsUExaqJsiWw-rEMLKv1DxWqWNIcezPoyAtqIkV83ohJQLo5QBYGAd7g5e28m0kerBTa_NyexuL1RIr9Jf6iB7lX_OiGgilw1E326Gzb2xSZdFrtIHI/s400/SANY0180.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother thinking he's cute trying to run of with the cheeseball!!! Not cool....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oaPBpBpEZNvR4afrVAJnE46SvqT4zSJug2E78ywlxndJjJEJbRWPj4MORmqx9XrgNPvUw0Is363ehrpiObKoi_DgHSKZsnoy84ioPYDRGcnhvZVkGKbq6IDt0G4SvXxD_k2UyVrnDoI/s1600/SANY0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oaPBpBpEZNvR4afrVAJnE46SvqT4zSJug2E78ywlxndJjJEJbRWPj4MORmqx9XrgNPvUw0Is363ehrpiObKoi_DgHSKZsnoy84ioPYDRGcnhvZVkGKbq6IDt0G4SvXxD_k2UyVrnDoI/s400/SANY0177.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBJaZ2CB3YvJt-wlpW6z1In-aTge5CaiK8yNUGMCnMPy9hv9VSEu-i6JO_Ti31N_o0DVniJokV8mXE9tz3W4VHPMUv0wTuCohP-vSK1ZmL0dbEZ4cGST_FuXA9UnlJeAWWe2GqkJ9Ui8/s1600/SANY0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBJaZ2CB3YvJt-wlpW6z1In-aTge5CaiK8yNUGMCnMPy9hv9VSEu-i6JO_Ti31N_o0DVniJokV8mXE9tz3W4VHPMUv0wTuCohP-vSK1ZmL0dbEZ4cGST_FuXA9UnlJeAWWe2GqkJ9Ui8/s400/SANY0178.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and Grandma</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVABgHwaQKwlkLV8V-UURpJ8kidhoqjfCEWj2xNDmASNevgCXvK4ah2snxLXFLHIyEU6g5AwaHzGftn2Bu2rEKyyVJgbQE-oZfvBhT6XtmSyTHcX-ccAL-zjwJg8-E65L4ICXN13ygVU/s1600/SANY0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVABgHwaQKwlkLV8V-UURpJ8kidhoqjfCEWj2xNDmASNevgCXvK4ah2snxLXFLHIyEU6g5AwaHzGftn2Bu2rEKyyVJgbQE-oZfvBhT6XtmSyTHcX-ccAL-zjwJg8-E65L4ICXN13ygVU/s400/SANY0181.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My niece Natalie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu9-Ap8HAM9m_QZKyKKUXI1OIdMxBRYY38nz6szrAzl0sKGq14L079la6gsFUq5AaPj8rq4cDKUuKZoiLVS3kMdSlxj5uwtaWsr_U-V4SpQ9TYuOokrqTlQK8nuYQvPZMOsRYgYs1uc4/s1600/SANY0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu9-Ap8HAM9m_QZKyKKUXI1OIdMxBRYY38nz6szrAzl0sKGq14L079la6gsFUq5AaPj8rq4cDKUuKZoiLVS3kMdSlxj5uwtaWsr_U-V4SpQ9TYuOokrqTlQK8nuYQvPZMOsRYgYs1uc4/s400/SANY0183.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nephew Vincent...Yes he actually managed to lift that watermelon..lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWiaIKdH8TNeEtiNQR03eCb3rQ5zaaqs2DF9LZeYNOO3hyphenhyphenlTUi71V0Feu5dnzwttQMkOUSv9sjfCjWIG0Wk8_zVjuEtarFzalPvVYpNnpOLTvxzSOMvgo5YhiCf9To-UBgmWF2yIpSds/s1600/SANY0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWiaIKdH8TNeEtiNQR03eCb3rQ5zaaqs2DF9LZeYNOO3hyphenhyphenlTUi71V0Feu5dnzwttQMkOUSv9sjfCjWIG0Wk8_zVjuEtarFzalPvVYpNnpOLTvxzSOMvgo5YhiCf9To-UBgmWF2yIpSds/s400/SANY0184.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My oldest son Tyler</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9U3GSaFEaOXDckU9x4c2TAKGC6jlQqc2rkddagqAu9yqj-bzf1QUZ4UL3IEiIWsmzJE_uOZWkWD1oRd1GQGmNTFVjQdfWnaeO-WWc547lYr_rWzvx03HzmqcuWFpts7GslAyAWG2IzI/s1600/SANY0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9U3GSaFEaOXDckU9x4c2TAKGC6jlQqc2rkddagqAu9yqj-bzf1QUZ4UL3IEiIWsmzJE_uOZWkWD1oRd1GQGmNTFVjQdfWnaeO-WWc547lYr_rWzvx03HzmqcuWFpts7GslAyAWG2IzI/s400/SANY0202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My youngest son Chandler</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg13ehG_Fc9Jp01fkK07ik4AkA_Jhlsy6YUUA5PV8nr3D0fDN2nl0ldoGu2Hrt9AHNTTMPaIugRjR68x3LrZUPpNlqpJYktovBZI2-0eAm5nlYid-mb_5_1mOSdsLq9XR96n2ejUYXWM/s1600/SANY0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg13ehG_Fc9Jp01fkK07ik4AkA_Jhlsy6YUUA5PV8nr3D0fDN2nl0ldoGu2Hrt9AHNTTMPaIugRjR68x3LrZUPpNlqpJYktovBZI2-0eAm5nlYid-mb_5_1mOSdsLq9XR96n2ejUYXWM/s400/SANY0206.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That kid LOVES watermelon...lol...a mouthful, and a piece in both hands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTr0Y0gPHMKiLEph5VhNw2zWqVLRFeI6bF2gYhKSOFt2tb4tK27XvaMNhpbiu_2Kjaqf5dBr6rRsg5fSBqch0Hd_lAYQinj9aqmlbb9cwnVHlrfzf-Z7BYNd6vZkqMuylKFFA7E1OfQY/s1600/SANY0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTr0Y0gPHMKiLEph5VhNw2zWqVLRFeI6bF2gYhKSOFt2tb4tK27XvaMNhpbiu_2Kjaqf5dBr6rRsg5fSBqch0Hd_lAYQinj9aqmlbb9cwnVHlrfzf-Z7BYNd6vZkqMuylKFFA7E1OfQY/s400/SANY0207.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone dug out the Violin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma showing him how it's done</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only my family can go from holding a violin to a gun..lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 peas in a pod</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN4ZfSpcoJ8BoycN36U7z0DTwVTple_Bx5noGlHJxLW0_-zd3_imyDUABW-EV9rZU96g_UlL3xMul9_SFTeGT4Dugqt_tCKOPxBalIVkdI5DKWRyqZzG66T0C97eCITEeYYu_QzDDC10/s1600/SANY0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN4ZfSpcoJ8BoycN36U7z0DTwVTple_Bx5noGlHJxLW0_-zd3_imyDUABW-EV9rZU96g_UlL3xMul9_SFTeGT4Dugqt_tCKOPxBalIVkdI5DKWRyqZzG66T0C97eCITEeYYu_QzDDC10/s400/SANY0218.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How stinkin' cute is she?!?!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp8sb2ol99ODpYFWZfxqebhE3oRRvmresdrHOWeFXFjjITALAzuqOKwAZ-mE65d3nWMkvPLEs9HxfqLXlrhJBpdS14AfeNeevKxPfcsNCNLFe0irPhhk5rhbqtZ9My4kJEVU4tLebQ5A/s1600/SANY0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp8sb2ol99ODpYFWZfxqebhE3oRRvmresdrHOWeFXFjjITALAzuqOKwAZ-mE65d3nWMkvPLEs9HxfqLXlrhJBpdS14AfeNeevKxPfcsNCNLFe0irPhhk5rhbqtZ9My4kJEVU4tLebQ5A/s400/SANY0219.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihHIFoba-s8MqrsGID6joJ1RGcfLQ92jsGswHXMmF1ln7DRpS5hI1M5DpaZSxslpw6dNvVKRA27_uRgXqp-kgsMg4TqTmkek5PuRbzP4g85aiHWJPxd2kCOq_2-NhPfdLz2eS7Tz7eHA/s1600/SANY0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihHIFoba-s8MqrsGID6joJ1RGcfLQ92jsGswHXMmF1ln7DRpS5hI1M5DpaZSxslpw6dNvVKRA27_uRgXqp-kgsMg4TqTmkek5PuRbzP4g85aiHWJPxd2kCOq_2-NhPfdLz2eS7Tz7eHA/s400/SANY0220.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My middle son Dylan with Vince</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RXBY9RjDpi_7_aOYyQ2qF50va1qkosoozcHFCaYraJqe6U4xoQdxpYHm1Cbr5MeQKqTIQjsHK_LQd2Z0daLpIE11bHTtLBDMs-TyyMy7-9EbVmkJ8wV19CfSa_aPb_PBoqhy0XJukJs/s1600/SANY0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RXBY9RjDpi_7_aOYyQ2qF50va1qkosoozcHFCaYraJqe6U4xoQdxpYHm1Cbr5MeQKqTIQjsHK_LQd2Z0daLpIE11bHTtLBDMs-TyyMy7-9EbVmkJ8wV19CfSa_aPb_PBoqhy0XJukJs/s400/SANY0234.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How adorable..and sweet....until they wake up! lol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-90467403054995919002011-09-02T13:26:00.000-05:002011-09-02T13:26:08.835-05:00PinterestOh my goodness...Must . Step . Away . From . Computer<br />
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I signed up last night for a Pinterest account. I'm sure you've heard all the hype about it. I had, but I've been putting off signing up for a while since I had heard that it was highly addictive. The last thing I need is to be spending more time glued to my computer...but I broke down last night and signed up anyways, and everyone was so right! It is very addicting, and I love it!<br />
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I spent forever on my computer last night saving things that I found to my boards...and to make it even better there's a Pin you put in your bookmark toolbar and you can save things you find online to your boards also and it will save a link to the site you found it on. So not only do I not have to use my bookmarks and save everything to my computer anymore, but I can save the picture and link in the category I want on Pinterest and access it with one click..You can also share your boards with your friends and family, and have followers, and follow other people boards...All in all,I have to say it's pretty cool!<br />
If you want to follow me you can find me at <a href="http://pinterest.com/hflotamoore/">http://pinterest.com/hflotamoore/</a><br />
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Last thing I have to say about it is if you do not have an account yet, and you love decorative, and crafty stuff... Enter at Your Own Risk! :0)<br />
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Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-40724491077211599332011-09-01T11:33:00.000-05:002011-09-01T11:33:33.541-05:00Rules and Expectations ContractI have recently made up a rules and expectation contract for our household. My boys, ages 7,12, and 14 are for the most part relatively well behaved, but we definitely had some issues that we needed to work on. I have to admit some of the problems were as much my fault as theirs since I tend to let them get away with more than I should. So this is as much guidelines for me as it is for them. I made it like a contract and I sat down with them all and we read through it together, and I answered any questions they had, then I had them sign it...maybe a little over dramatic for some of you, but to me I see it as a way to ward of future arguments. When there's a disagreement over someone saying they didn't know that was the rule, I can pull out the contract they signed and show them they did know. :0) So here it is...hope it can help someone else and their family in the future...Keep in mind this is geared more towards my teenagers...would need to be modified I'm sure for younger children.<br />
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<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Rules and Expectation Contract</u></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As children you have a legal right to adequate food, shelter, education, health care, clothing and protection from abuse. We, as your parents, are not </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>required</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> to give you anything else. </span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">You will follow directions and requests made by parents. Parents may <b>discuss</b> the matter and explain their reasons, but parents are not required to explain or justify their decisions. There will also be no argument over this. If there is an argument, than that means you've made you point at least once. We do not need to repeatedly hear it.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
All children are responsible for cleaning their own rooms and keeping their own rooms tidied up between cleanings. Cleaning is done weekly including dusting and vacuuming and cleaning the closets.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">All homework and chores will be completed daily before any tv, xbox, computer ect.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">If books are not brought home you will be immediately taken back to school to retrieve them. All homework will be monitored by parent and student online on a daily basis. There will be no excuses tolerated for incomplete work.<br />
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Prior permission must be obtained for all outside activities including going to the neighbors, visiting friends, after school activities, dating, etc. If a child is missing for more than 30 minutes without permission, it is considered a runaway and the police will be notified. <br />
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Prior permission must be obtained before riding in anyone else’s car. The parents or approved sitter must meet the potential driver, approve of him/her, and see his/her driver’s license prior to receiving permission to leave. <br />
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No fighting or property destruction. Disciplinary action for any roughhousing is time out for 15 minutes or as determined at the time by disciplining parent.<br />
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No smoking at any time. No drug or alcohol use. </span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">If caught with any drugs, or alcohol all privileges will be revoked and depending on the circumstances therapy or rehab will be required.<br />
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No profane language. Consequence: $0.25 taken for each offense out of money jar.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amount can be raised by disciplining parent if needed.<br />
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Maximum Curfew—8pm or before its dark, unless prior permission has been granted by parent<br />
Discipline for late curfew: grounded one day for each 5 minutes late. </span><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parents will be given access and may monitor all e-mail and internet use. If information changes you will inform parent of password change or your accounts will be deleted.<br />
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Children of opposite sex are not permitted in bedrooms at the same time. If parent has approved this then bedroom doors will remain open AT ALL TIMES.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">All food eaten in the house is to be eaten in the kitchen unless special permission is granted. <br />
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All tv's, Ipods, xbox etc. must be turned off at bedtime. Radio may be listened to as long as there is no arguing over the channel. <br />
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Bedtime on school nights is normally 10:00 p.m. for older children over age 12 unless a special privilege has been granted. </span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Younger children have earlier bedtimes at 9:00 p.m. <br />
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Extra money can be earned by assisting with chores other than routine weekly house cleaning. Allowance will not be paid if chores have not been completed. If no allowance is granted for that week then any deductions will be noted and will come out of the following weeks allowance.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Church will be attended, unless sick, on a weekly basis without complaint or excuses. </span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">You will not take or use things that belong to others without permission. </span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Return all borrowed items as agreed and in the condition they found it. </span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Hygiene will be daily and at an appropriate time. Parents will designate what must be done and will become more directive if you fail to manage this responsibility. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Example: If you want your hair long, keep it washed and non greasy looking, or you will be taken to get it cut<br />
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No guests may be invited while parents are away. </span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Permission must be obtained prior to inviting any guests to the home. </span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parents will try to help, support and solve problems if you are having problems. You will lose some freedoms, choices and privileges if you do not cooperate or if you refuse to follow the house rules. </span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sign below to indicate that you have read and fully understand the above. <br />
Signed and dated,</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
_____________________________ <br />
(Teenager/ children) </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
_____________________________<br />
(Parent or parents) </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">_____________________________<br />
(Date) </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><br />
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<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-2439903078497788852011-08-31T13:40:00.001-05:002011-09-01T22:40:54.574-05:00The Money Jars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7xtKLCBI9LD4uEjy3aEnY_tp2CZ1M-GBIEGS3n8nwOz209zyZmhJizcAomrmwONkeICeT9M_4jG98fZRBp1_xuqhIRWyPWbcb7mIvOGVmZB0_zKc_8cdJk3wFQkz8QcAf2YUzdBbsk4/s1600/143-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7xtKLCBI9LD4uEjy3aEnY_tp2CZ1M-GBIEGS3n8nwOz209zyZmhJizcAomrmwONkeICeT9M_4jG98fZRBp1_xuqhIRWyPWbcb7mIvOGVmZB0_zKc_8cdJk3wFQkz8QcAf2YUzdBbsk4/s400/143-cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We implemented Money Jars at our house a few weeks ago. My boys do chores daily, but until recently they haven't been receiving an allowance. I have no problems paying the boys to help around the house, but I do have issues with paying them to help but still having to hear constant arguments and name calling..especially from my teenagers....So I the made money jars...Keep in mind also that my boys are 7,12, and 14...This could easily be modified for younger children though.<br />
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The boys will be getting $10 a week for their allowance. I will be putting their $10 in their jars at the beginning of the week in all quarters...As the week progresses every time I hear "Dude you are so freaking gay", or whatever the cut down of the day is, the boy looses a quarter out of his jar...Same goes if I get arguments over them doing their daily chores or homework... If they loose more than their $10 a tab will be kept and deducted from the following weeks allowance.<br />
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At the same time I didn't want to make it an all negative thing so if they do something genuinely nice for someone they can earn extra quarters. They can also earn extra quarters by doing extra side chores that I post on the board weekly, or by memorizing bible verses. Also any kid who has their original amount of quarters or more gets a $2 bonus at the end of the week.<br />
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I have to admit so far this has worked pretty good...It's been a lot quieter around our house lately! lol...It's amazing the results you get when they realize their actions have consequences on their spending money <br />
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P.S...excuse the bad photography...lol..I'm not great at taking pics anyways, but have you ever tried to take pics of glass jars??? It was not as easy as I had expected! The jars will be getting a makeover soon. They are certainly ugly, but for now they work. :0)<br />
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Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-35290562184856710542011-08-30T14:21:00.000-05:002011-08-30T14:21:01.663-05:00Bible CoverAs I've posted previously, We are finally getting back into church. I love the bible I have, but I've had it for years and it's getting a little worn, but I really didn't want to purchase a new one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZAgxoVFen5SsNJTEFFUEOyYbfYhyphenhypheny8Mfxjo0hybUPp6Ih71c_Uw3eGHiN7URLcQrKEQYpadX86VjBVDRmepgmDSHBEeigdrtZeOIa1pAoSDs-sazfDwu2Vg-6WFSHO0RAkDEI1YS3VU/s1600/SANY0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZAgxoVFen5SsNJTEFFUEOyYbfYhyphenhypheny8Mfxjo0hybUPp6Ih71c_Uw3eGHiN7URLcQrKEQYpadX86VjBVDRmepgmDSHBEeigdrtZeOIa1pAoSDs-sazfDwu2Vg-6WFSHO0RAkDEI1YS3VU/s400/SANY0127.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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So I made a cover/case for it...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDncIBp7suLslQn6K_Ax86b6fLCCtRsPOSDA4U6hmVnsZrHM2Z-0YGSy_Pf6-fPS6QjOr_XSsiZPvqPTTkjP3yaCxfewWHcxod9vcAVDMQdaWR4D-FYwX5uTb0Bjx6KEb0lJPQKhgyI8U/s1600/SANY0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDncIBp7suLslQn6K_Ax86b6fLCCtRsPOSDA4U6hmVnsZrHM2Z-0YGSy_Pf6-fPS6QjOr_XSsiZPvqPTTkjP3yaCxfewWHcxod9vcAVDMQdaWR4D-FYwX5uTb0Bjx6KEb0lJPQKhgyI8U/s400/SANY0131.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QWN4S9MJ6Z-lcqeyg0hyphenhyphenvG7iupxWOSZ_ANThHErJLkM6W0x71YaQX8JyUT0QD-eCJPANtfgOcuNx_MUBrfynvomBCvNE5uHx8P1bRpHDjIBsfMMda0Z9lev8JGDAsNl1iNqOk1eoe0w/s1600/SANY0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QWN4S9MJ6Z-lcqeyg0hyphenhyphenvG7iupxWOSZ_ANThHErJLkM6W0x71YaQX8JyUT0QD-eCJPANtfgOcuNx_MUBrfynvomBCvNE5uHx8P1bRpHDjIBsfMMda0Z9lev8JGDAsNl1iNqOk1eoe0w/s400/SANY0137.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love it, and it works great to not only hold my bible, but also my Sunday school book so I don't manage to misplace it :0)<br />
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I used a tutorial that I found online <a href="http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2011/02/scripture-cover.html">here</a>.<br />
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I also bought this adorable robot material and decided to make my youngest son a case too...My older boys think they are to old for one, but my youngest son is the one who LOVES accessories...lol..It doesn't matter what kind...I found the time to make his case last night, and he loved it....<br />
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I wish I had got a picture of his face when I gave it to him this morning, but unfortunately we were in a hurry to get on the bus so I didnt have time to dig out my camera... Hope everyone is having a great week! :0)<br />
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Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-30552830008794625412011-08-29T12:52:00.001-05:002011-08-29T12:53:16.984-05:00Catch upI have blogged one time this year!...ONE...That's crazy considering it's the end of August! So I'm making a commitment right now to start blogging more regularly.<br />
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This past year has been one a crazy, stressful year, but I'm really hoping that things are finally starting down the right path. Let's see...to get caught up...<br />
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We have had 4 family members pass away since last September. My grandfather, my step grandma, my step dad, and one of my aunts. They are all greatly missed!<br />
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I started working as a caregiver for an elderly woman a few months ago. I love the job. It does mean that it has seriously cut into my crafting and sewing time though :0)<br />
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School started here on Aug 10..I swear it seems to get earlier and earlier each year! I home schooled my oldest son last year, but this year he decided he wanted to try public school again for the 8th grade. He's on medicine this year for his ADD and so far he's doing excellent!!! I'm so proud of him! Here's their pics from the first day of school...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVviyLmYaJpF0-KOkTR2De7s702Ut7zHzgo_f7LxVksIOJiAoemHOkD91DGHYOv8421k8ukxcEr2LSYijFf5mNLgolIxMcGSVcZ6Z_idrxH4abYMUfJsmk-dQt7yeRSQK0CfEzjtbeZrs/s1600/SANY0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVviyLmYaJpF0-KOkTR2De7s702Ut7zHzgo_f7LxVksIOJiAoemHOkD91DGHYOv8421k8ukxcEr2LSYijFf5mNLgolIxMcGSVcZ6Z_idrxH4abYMUfJsmk-dQt7yeRSQK0CfEzjtbeZrs/s320/SANY0104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being silly</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even more silly..they were a little excited..lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally a serious one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of 2nd grade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to show off his 2, soon to be 3, missing front teeth..lol</td></tr>
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As for myself lately there's been a lot of changes...I recently got diagnosed with adult ADD..I never would have thought it was a problem for me because I associate it with hyperactivity and not listening. Any of you who know me know I'm an extremely laid back person most of the time. But I have a huge problem being anywhere on time, finishing projects that I start (you should see my craft closet!) and just being motivated and focusing in general. So my doctor started me on Vyvanse and the difference in how I feel has been amazing! My head is no longer "foggy"...I can concentrate, and I've finished every project that I've started...I really had no idea how much I was spinning my wheels and not being productive until I got productive!<br />
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I can't say I'm the most popular person at my house right now..lol..but my kids will get over it...I've implemented money jars, house rules, and a cleaning chart these past few weeks. My kids might not like it, but I think my husband does...We've had some serious issues come up between us this year also that we are having to work through, but I do think they (hopefully) seem to be slowly getting a little better.<br />
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I think my favorite thing that I have changed is that we are back in church...or at least most of us are...(still need to get the hubby going again.) I promised my grandpa right before he passed away that I would get me and the boys back in church, and I am thrilled to be able to say that I've done that.<br />
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I was raised in small southern baptist churches my whole life and that was the kind of church I wanted to belong to again. I wanted a small church with a good size youth group to get the kids involved in, and that's not always easy to find. I wanted a church where they still sang the old hymns, where everyone knows everyone, where I could get involved, but that was still big enough to have activities for the boys...and I found that I think in Keck Avenue Baptist Church...We've only been going for a little bit, but so far I love it! Everyone is so welcoming! I'm pretty sure we'll be joining the church very soon.<br />
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I think that gets me pretty much caught up...I'll post more later about the money jars and the house rules :0)<br />
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</a></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-46672980839350032352011-07-01T15:54:00.000-05:002011-07-01T15:54:54.893-05:00Don't waste another Marble!<span style="font-size: small;">I was listening to the Scott and Kelli show on my favorite radio station <a href="http://www.klove.com/">KLove</a> on my way home from work yesterday. Scott was telling this story and it really hit home and I felt like I needed to share it also. It really helps put life into perspective I think if you can see it dwindling down in front of you every week...I know there's a lot of Saturdays I've wasted...So new goal for myself is to try not to waste anymore! I did my own math and I've had 1655 Saturdays as of tomorrow. That leaves me with hopefully at least 2245.</span> <br />
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</div><div class="descr"></div><div class="descr"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Don't waste another Marble! </u></b></span></div><div class="descr">by Scott from KLove<br />
</div><div class="descr">I have been reading John Maxwell's book, The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. It is a great read and a book that is so applicable to everyone! We are all apart of a team in one way or another. In the chapter on living life intentionally John shared a story that friend had shared with him. His friend Dwight Bain overheard a Ham radio broadcast one morning and what he overheard was some an advise an older gentleman was sharing:</div><div class="entry"> "It's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much," he said, "Let me tell you something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities. You see, one day I sat down and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives 75 years, so I multiplied 75 times 52 and came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays the average person has in a lifetime.<br />
"it took me fifty-five years to think about this in any detail." he continued, "and by that time I had lived through 2,800 Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of those left to enjoy."<br />
He went on to explain that he had bought 1,000 marbles and put them in a clear container in his favorite work area at home. "Every Saturday since then," he said, "I have taken one of the marbles out of the jar and thown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There's nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help you get your priorities straight."<br />
The older gentleman finished, "Now let me tell you one more thing before I sign off and take my lovely wife to breakfast. This morning, I took my last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday, then I have been given a little extra time."<br />
We can't choose whether we will get any more time, but we can choose what we do with it. If you are intentional with what with what you have, then you will make the most out of the time and talent that God gives you.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://www.klove.com/blog/ScottandKelli/image.axd?picture=2011%2f6%2fmarbles.jpg" /></div></div>Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487045969459644621.post-79499444791293510102010-11-26T01:42:00.000-06:002010-11-26T01:42:43.603-06:00Give ThanksHappy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a wonderful day filled with lots of love, family, and good food!<br />
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We were missing quite a few people this year so we had a small but good Thanksgiving. I wasn't sure how it would be this year with us having lost Grandpa two months ago. We sure did miss him, but it went so much better than I had expected it to. I think it helped a lot that Grandma had the table set out different...we didn't spend the entire meal looking at the empty chair that would have been his. We all got a little choked up(or at least I did) when it came time for prayer,cause it was a who's going to say it now kind of moment...but we made it through the first Thanksgiving, so I'm sure they will get easier with each passing year.<br />
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</tbody></table>I only had my oldest son Tyler with me this year. Dylan decided to go to his dads, and Chandler went with my husband Greg to his family's house. So we were a little scattered this year. We were also missing my sister-in-law Jess who had to work, and my aunt, uncle, and cousins from TX....We missed you all, but not to worry...I ate enough pie and food for all of you :0)...(more cheeseball, and beef rollups for us...lol) Here's a few more pictures of our day together<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my nephew Vincent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTyC7s_0B0er_wnPNDx1evuhH4TiHDul1JAyb4RJT6isJmTDy9zHgHp8wpUpcm-wlHtdBESp-NDiplFOHXR_EtcK9D_UMRoW1f4FKGYNQM_YyZ_OjRFGKPAOzOfNqnVmzTvACRUcqbAc/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTyC7s_0B0er_wnPNDx1evuhH4TiHDul1JAyb4RJT6isJmTDy9zHgHp8wpUpcm-wlHtdBESp-NDiplFOHXR_EtcK9D_UMRoW1f4FKGYNQM_YyZ_OjRFGKPAOzOfNqnVmzTvACRUcqbAc/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+026.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nephew Vincent</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCHTsnXxiFcyPedGISXPJ2Xw5mkH1bN-5uXlmwe5jdxKchX3JYpTrZY32zrkPmLA_rzVQ8tVAC3_KqfaH636fIUA5Y7GmHQwpwdlV4e3QYhtHBEAv4zSpuxwHakZBBOxor8t8j0sJEhk/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCHTsnXxiFcyPedGISXPJ2Xw5mkH1bN-5uXlmwe5jdxKchX3JYpTrZY32zrkPmLA_rzVQ8tVAC3_KqfaH636fIUA5Y7GmHQwpwdlV4e3QYhtHBEAv4zSpuxwHakZBBOxor8t8j0sJEhk/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too much turkey...lol</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3q1sQcmkepzM2LNc9g9NG0BCpxshXVCkB_xOdyrHV7ZleXLDevxf44mx5qU0yJPPXNZtYROTw9TYImumEtWJPtKWC0cNdLXvjElEebesZaEXSDC_xmivNltla_bf73A-0bxicEnMBjZ0/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3q1sQcmkepzM2LNc9g9NG0BCpxshXVCkB_xOdyrHV7ZleXLDevxf44mx5qU0yJPPXNZtYROTw9TYImumEtWJPtKWC0cNdLXvjElEebesZaEXSDC_xmivNltla_bf73A-0bxicEnMBjZ0/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+029.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mom, My grandma, and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz46dU0TQ4wjKfgk6-3aQknR_bynEs2cdcGsF9IlS0Az80i7262mTGxCByU4WtxvA-1Yq8P2h3ptzPQc0mlxbUEut_XjYbGRVWC4bumvn_Idq9YSKlyyGI3gFuMHNiYqyfwqinFsIuuqo/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz46dU0TQ4wjKfgk6-3aQknR_bynEs2cdcGsF9IlS0Az80i7262mTGxCByU4WtxvA-1Yq8P2h3ptzPQc0mlxbUEut_XjYbGRVWC4bumvn_Idq9YSKlyyGI3gFuMHNiYqyfwqinFsIuuqo/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, my brother, my grandma, Tyler and Vincent</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jW0INxEHxsBNnG1baaWdn1F9GUC0NuJ3fEqgKNQ6OaJNiMj55ok1_9D9XzknKIPYX_cSkWE-p79kfDJoyTi6bXKIz8mVaPhiHwoRJAQ2Ymdz6KqWYuXJSpgy_bIvJlgHB6Ce2DDAfME/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jW0INxEHxsBNnG1baaWdn1F9GUC0NuJ3fEqgKNQ6OaJNiMj55ok1_9D9XzknKIPYX_cSkWE-p79kfDJoyTi6bXKIz8mVaPhiHwoRJAQ2Ymdz6KqWYuXJSpgy_bIvJlgHB6Ce2DDAfME/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all of us (except Ken who was taking the pic)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaC7zgW1c8vxWdfwUqq7yAW5MzeV7YjHTz7xKhQ609PvsnPZVNGTGE0nom9MZ-eXfwkoOE2dqObyFWMkn8t_LNNnFrwXYm4aivncdzaVV_PZaet2LnMn0ZzA5Pkp65zOwYkrjc6U4y-Q/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaC7zgW1c8vxWdfwUqq7yAW5MzeV7YjHTz7xKhQ609PvsnPZVNGTGE0nom9MZ-eXfwkoOE2dqObyFWMkn8t_LNNnFrwXYm4aivncdzaVV_PZaet2LnMn0ZzA5Pkp65zOwYkrjc6U4y-Q/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my oldest son Tyler</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGepYHG_I9Dnq7M2JhP7urLohIvxMfSx_FDN7gXDa_M_GDY6ZmG0624Ybl_8pjixPY9uEOUsZ8QDHrzPixj14ib29X_1quTHT6imyHqfJFChyphenhyphenmICX0R4h0ic-TD1KokcElgV7KTDnNfk/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGepYHG_I9Dnq7M2JhP7urLohIvxMfSx_FDN7gXDa_M_GDY6ZmG0624Ybl_8pjixPY9uEOUsZ8QDHrzPixj14ib29X_1quTHT6imyHqfJFChyphenhyphenmICX0R4h0ic-TD1KokcElgV7KTDnNfk/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my grandma</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgii6LUFZU-GELgyA47MWEIG11cp27XNVU61vPgxEAB-oF20-ByG-3feboxYQ_qUwURa6sgHtEDM1mkwdojMhRjaRCHAdffZ9YKPOvj8u6IncHSMfJcyb7tfNl0bamVr6YyplbDE5qH-hA/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgii6LUFZU-GELgyA47MWEIG11cp27XNVU61vPgxEAB-oF20-ByG-3feboxYQ_qUwURa6sgHtEDM1mkwdojMhRjaRCHAdffZ9YKPOvj8u6IncHSMfJcyb7tfNl0bamVr6YyplbDE5qH-hA/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+037.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my mom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY_M7TY2JR0hx_3YN7DpFocWu-YX2J-5mH67qPGxhcMv9PU4ZuB3iWw56b5IiA2mjeUMkefBywLwq9YH-WBRU-fEDf8xj7jKZKtxDdzS9_juWzcl1EiXA7VpQXEWgGti-InCVmdWbZog/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY_M7TY2JR0hx_3YN7DpFocWu-YX2J-5mH67qPGxhcMv9PU4ZuB3iWw56b5IiA2mjeUMkefBywLwq9YH-WBRU-fEDf8xj7jKZKtxDdzS9_juWzcl1EiXA7VpQXEWgGti-InCVmdWbZog/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+039.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa Ken with Vincent</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8IzyvAjR5WYYEVRwmUiWkazkGwPR53q288Uw6Wb75VqqsEa3KQ6bSZW_I_1YvpC46Ce1clN8MYYRVtROQJXrkh-2jlerCI2u0tyd4i7AXNuBdimJxrg1XMCtZpjl03bHhWlmg0-pIuw/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8IzyvAjR5WYYEVRwmUiWkazkGwPR53q288Uw6Wb75VqqsEa3KQ6bSZW_I_1YvpC46Ce1clN8MYYRVtROQJXrkh-2jlerCI2u0tyd4i7AXNuBdimJxrg1XMCtZpjl03bHhWlmg0-pIuw/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother and my niece Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYrBHIHUHpFTuEVOlp2cqkyLfmH5o3VYLYYJArujJ4JemjfRDAjvpazZTHXBNdwaW0MHUobxC06-evD73R4GfaxHuvMBYCi8QpUX0LsH4_ftL7h9PuCTLI4etbUv9mB1epO9zJn6oGsY/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYrBHIHUHpFTuEVOlp2cqkyLfmH5o3VYLYYJArujJ4JemjfRDAjvpazZTHXBNdwaW0MHUobxC06-evD73R4GfaxHuvMBYCi8QpUX0LsH4_ftL7h9PuCTLI4etbUv9mB1epO9zJn6oGsY/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and step-dad</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IMrhQC4jvCz0kTYf0NZeIA8wIBCErWMRnjs6vSp3cTvCg0XjIJg44LEJxARdW42JQexMJ5vTlyRptVimHO5B6HJCvXadWdLxvDbcAzkLfPi8H9a5ScBB3JwR-VrdncS-9b8V-6qCP8s/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IMrhQC4jvCz0kTYf0NZeIA8wIBCErWMRnjs6vSp3cTvCg0XjIJg44LEJxARdW42JQexMJ5vTlyRptVimHO5B6HJCvXadWdLxvDbcAzkLfPi8H9a5ScBB3JwR-VrdncS-9b8V-6qCP8s/s400/Thanksgiving+2010+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nephew Vincent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have so much in my life to be thankful for...I hope everyone took time out of their day today to reflect on what you have to be thankful for in your own lives, and I hope you found your list to be long!<br />
<br />
This song has been stuck in my head all day, so I thought I'd share it.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving!Heather@Simply Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896115446619462024noreply@blogger.com1