tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51369351666299743492024-02-18T20:06:27.729-08:00BEING ELGINMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-52230837435534553622012-08-07T12:59:00.000-07:002012-08-07T12:59:06.810-07:00This Could Be Interesting....Back in June, my dog accidentally ripped a quarter-sized hole in the middle of our comforter with her toenail. At least that's the story I'm going with. It's possible teeth were involved but I refuse to believe that of her. Anyway, I wasn't too heart-broken as the comforter was beautiful, but not sturdy enough to be dog friendly. I had been casually mentioning to my husband that the bedding should be replaced. After some online shopping and some real shopping (I like to see things in person) I bought this set on sale from Pottery Barn.<br />
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It was definitely a splurge. I'm not a frequent Pottery Barn shopper. In fact, I try to replicate their ideas as much as possible. I brought the bedding home and put it on our bed, happy in the knowledge that it could be tossed in the washer if Abby gets it dirty, unlike our previous dry clean only set. My husband was indulgent as new master bedroom bedding wasn't exactly in the budget, and agreed when I assured him that the curtains and paint color would do for now. I didn't exactly lie, because I did think that would be the case when I told him that...I just changed my mind quickly. I found the blue I want to paint the walls in one of my Pottery Barn paint sample books a couple weeks ago, and my pal Ashley picked me up curtains I'd wanted but resisted buying at Ikea. The redecoration is moving forward as soon as I get a free weekend to paint.<br />
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The curtains raise a whole new issue. If you've not experienced Ikea, you should! The nearest one is a tick over 2 hours away but I make the trip 3-4 times a year. I'm a sucker for cheap Swedish furniture I guess. One of the disadvantages is that it's cheap Swedish furniture. There's lots of assembly, and my curtains are not hemmed. I decided rather than ask my mother-in-law to hem them for me, I'd borrow a sewing machine and do it myself. My sewing experience is limited, and it's been on an old Singer machine my grandma gave me that's got to be older than I am. I'm a little overwhelmed by this computerized machine that's sitting in the guest room waiting for me to bust it out. This could be interesting.... Wish me luck. I'll let you know how the curtains turn out. Luckily they're pretty inexpensive if I screw them up.<br />
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<br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-36279347085062065502012-06-10T15:58:00.001-07:002012-06-10T16:12:42.815-07:00BlessingsI love summer break. I'm just finishing week 2. While its been busy busy, life has been full of blessings. First of all, my baby sister graduated high school a couple weeks ago. She's sort of following in big sis's footsteps. She's going to Purdue for elementary education. I'm so proud of her!! This photo is me and my two sisters.<br />
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I'm also babysitting my niece some this summer. She's 18 months old and full of personality. Every day I'm with her she makes me laugh. Nick and I got to introduce her to the cows a few weeks ago. We had a blast introducing her to Ladybug, and had so much fun seeing her reaction to the cows up close and personal. She loved them, and the Big Wheels Gator, and the tractor! I absolutely love being an aunt!<br />
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Since I'm home all the time I've been able to help out my Grandma run errands and clean house. She's been so great to us, and it's nice to be able to help her now too. I was reminded this week of a time I was making pie when I was younger. Admittedly I wasn't much of a cook for the first 25 years of my life. Grandma came in and saw me making pie crust. She asked if my sister had helped me. I was insulted at the time but now it makes me laugh. I'm thankful for fun memories. <br />
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My mother in law was the feature quilter at a local show this weekend. It was awesome getting to help her set up and see all her gorgeous work. I types some information for her display and learned a lot in the process. When we took the display down today she sent my favorite quilt home with me. It's extra special for me because I helped her lay it out. She has knee surgery so I spread the blocks out on the living room floor and figured our the best layout. Right now the quilt is spread on the guest bed until I can con my dad into making me a quilt rack for this one and the other two she's made us. <br />
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Speaking of, Dad finished my pie safe refinishing. It's awesome!! I don't have two cabinets side-by-side in my dining room...well I did for a couple of weeks, but not anymore. Emptying the hutch, moving it, and then re-loading it was the first project I tackled when school ended. The hutch got relocated to the living room, and the pie safe is in the dining room. Nick still won't admit that it was a good investment, but he's not complaining about not having to go to the office for my crock pot every time I need it anymore, so I think it's been accepted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxVDmQrVxIEMTRmqJHjRAPw-tKCjwDuvAOuFNeL-fWIF57XemV-AiUAsW99wkR3iWU01j5agnQmbAysss2lL-0ApWQYx33apS8Rv2WzdkRn_jHsBVT2dUrfC1m3QqTVMNsldrz4IEWXbH/s640/blogger-image--305839747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxVDmQrVxIEMTRmqJHjRAPw-tKCjwDuvAOuFNeL-fWIF57XemV-AiUAsW99wkR3iWU01j5agnQmbAysss2lL-0ApWQYx33apS8Rv2WzdkRn_jHsBVT2dUrfC1m3QqTVMNsldrz4IEWXbH/s640/blogger-image--305839747.jpg" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-42643929196401606952012-01-21T08:29:00.000-08:002012-01-21T08:29:33.934-08:00Random Thoughts of a Saturday MorningIt's Saturday, and it's icy outside. Not so icy that it's debilitating but definitely icy enough that I sweet-talked my husband into going out and putting another ear of corn on the squirrel feeder rather than doing it myself. The poor little squirrel was nosing around an empty feeder...I couldn't take it. It's icy enough that I don't really feel the need to get out and go to the store until later this afternoon when it thaws. And it's icy enough that since there are no cows in active labor we're not going to the farm today. That leaves free time. I don't even remember what it's like to have free time!!<br />
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I've gotten laundry going, and I'll vaccum as soon as I throw the tennis ball down the hallway as many times at it takes to wear Abby out so I can pick up her toys (yes, we are talking about the dog and yes she has that many toys). I could do homework but with 2 weeks of class left I'm over my Masters program and don't feel the need to be a good student and manage my time well. What a great example that is for my high school'ers. <br />
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I was working on my grocery list and thinking of all the things that sounded good. Most of those things involved fresh vegetables that I would usually go get at the local Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings, or from my Mom's garden, or even the orchard on the way to the nearest Meijer. Then I thought of my poor little flowers that are so confused and starting to peek through the mulch at the front of the house. It's still not time for them, but seeing them makes me wish it were. Although if this weather southern Indiana is having this January tricks my Hyacinths then kills them, I'm going to be ticked.<br />
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Maybe they'll have pots of Hyacinths at Meijer to hold me over until spring....<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-16755254832462486742012-01-01T17:41:00.000-08:002012-01-01T17:55:14.128-08:00Time FliesWow, has it been a long time since I've posted anything. My life is so interesting I'm sure you've all been on pins and needles wondering what has happened (note the sarcasm). Since I shared with you my fantastic pie-safe find, I can report that it's still sitting in the barn workshop belonging to my dad. Slight progress has been made...enough for me to get a teaser of what it will look liked stained, and I'm REALLY anxious for it to be done now.<br />
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Nick and I hosted Thanksgiving for my Dad's side of the family on Thanksgiving, and then for Nick's immediate family 2 days later, which was a ton of work, but well worth it. Then Nick's Mom had colon surgery the Monday after. So I spent our 2nd wedding anniversary in the hospital keeping my father-in-law company. She had some kidney complications, which led to a brief ICU stay, and she was home by the following Tuesday evening. The problem was she took a ride home on the crazy train and was back in the hospital on Sunday morning after Nick and his brother put their feet down and took her back. So after another week she was finally on the mend and is doing well now, but the first 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are literally a blur of hospital trips and going back and forth to the farm to take care of the cattle.<br />
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We did manage to squeeze in a photo shoot for our holiday picture, after only rescheduling once.... <br />
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Christmas break has been slightly less busy and much more enjoyable. Now we're moving into calving time on the farm, which is my absolute favorite time on the farm. One of our show girls has calved, and I'm totally in love with the little squirt already. She's rotten and has a ton of personality...just my type of cow. My other two pets managed to escape yesterday and were VERY proud of themselves.<br />
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And finally, I will be finished with my Masters work in 1 month. I'm hoping I can fight through the senioritis long enough to get through this final class. Wish me luck!!<br />
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Blessings to you all at the start of this new year!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-70679050832026324262011-10-29T17:06:00.000-07:002011-10-29T17:06:35.006-07:00New Project!!!This is the pie safe I bought at an auction today...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO1BsMWZsHRs9IkJ66QGcfC69bz11FWQVDbB26GhYGoyY_vS3VyofuXRWvzHCuT_jIvFhBPELWe_c0DgX4OA46jZnnnjlylc-J0VowMV3KvfG0X-gXV8pvc72jr3pm_9nUFwoRjghHIIK/s1600/pie+safe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO1BsMWZsHRs9IkJ66QGcfC69bz11FWQVDbB26GhYGoyY_vS3VyofuXRWvzHCuT_jIvFhBPELWe_c0DgX4OA46jZnnnjlylc-J0VowMV3KvfG0X-gXV8pvc72jr3pm_9nUFwoRjghHIIK/s320/pie+safe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's a little rougher than the photo shows, but I think it will be fabulous when it's restored. It's painted right now, but I think it's maple underneath. Right now it's in my Dad's workshop at my parents house because my hubs has our garage filled with his woodworking stuff, so there's not room for it, and he doesn't have time to work on it. My dad will...after Mom's new bathroom vanity is done. It needs some slight repair work, and the paint has to go. It might have to be repainted if the wood can't be refinished, but it won't be a creamy orange color if it does. Plus, the tin insets in the doors are awesome and need the paint cleaned off. Plus it's a great practice piece for refinishing my dining room table! <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-59409194362650290142011-09-07T17:08:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:09:40.636-07:00Wordless Wednesday: Scenes from Shaker Village<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ljLAseUN3hP6wTnAcowT8q1SgRgKjcc9qnZfQaGkc68Wv-3hoteEqsZUeTfJA24PpqXJsv7Uvo3WppBtHq3_s9HH_B06WO8ja0f_1yvL0SvUtX-DIbUOQMUxL7CyzXpO98WqKj_HV6Re/s1600/DSC_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ljLAseUN3hP6wTnAcowT8q1SgRgKjcc9qnZfQaGkc68Wv-3hoteEqsZUeTfJA24PpqXJsv7Uvo3WppBtHq3_s9HH_B06WO8ja0f_1yvL0SvUtX-DIbUOQMUxL7CyzXpO98WqKj_HV6Re/s320/DSC_0285.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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And a shot or two of the fireworks that were on rain delay from July 4th.<br />
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<div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-29533616034690232922011-08-27T19:13:00.000-07:002011-08-27T19:13:07.872-07:00What Do Cows Do On Saturdays?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV_mJeZ3q3hMOUm1MsqvqiB2wXZzAMGMuYXy4VC1WoqlOEEdYOM3hk0qQSHYjD77i1LCQ-zhgoqnBjTCqz7At9GrnV5-286TFBNpvvgyF9XSgxrZ1svUEsBUpMGEJ4qN4G73LLJgRdIKq/s1600/DSC_0454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV_mJeZ3q3hMOUm1MsqvqiB2wXZzAMGMuYXy4VC1WoqlOEEdYOM3hk0qQSHYjD77i1LCQ-zhgoqnBjTCqz7At9GrnV5-286TFBNpvvgyF9XSgxrZ1svUEsBUpMGEJ4qN4G73LLJgRdIKq/s320/DSC_0454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> They go hang out in the woods...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzzOnCymsQOwFN_Fchnqv7geQZV-1MsNA7vVjcRQdfiEKL2y3xu9A3jWbXpNGL7fao8QUeIfJ8NtlrczCfLv3jufuNoZxV1QAOIZQ1Unvbz6TKVxrAbmOGiZZKIe7KA5MvPKmQlfpNlZQ/s1600/DSC_0463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzzOnCymsQOwFN_Fchnqv7geQZV-1MsNA7vVjcRQdfiEKL2y3xu9A3jWbXpNGL7fao8QUeIfJ8NtlrczCfLv3jufuNoZxV1QAOIZQ1Unvbz6TKVxrAbmOGiZZKIe7KA5MvPKmQlfpNlZQ/s320/DSC_0463.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> They lie around....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2HskCuuOhTAO6C1Z7dDXnAX6Cr-h1lf93_Pp_3nYcbJaMMbcieYxCz7pub7smhsnr0pmd6rqCl8ysYzvXqQubdIvjeEbCA39B-KqL1fh8HfELl-LAUCkCcnDHlnzV5LMFlbiWFZtWiwB/s1600/DSC_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2HskCuuOhTAO6C1Z7dDXnAX6Cr-h1lf93_Pp_3nYcbJaMMbcieYxCz7pub7smhsnr0pmd6rqCl8ysYzvXqQubdIvjeEbCA39B-KqL1fh8HfELl-LAUCkCcnDHlnzV5LMFlbiWFZtWiwB/s320/DSC_0465.jpg" width="272" /></a></div> They say hello to their people friends...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq25mH7CeSfdmUUEMAeRwYshj3CkiiZIxXT7SBDmxW3sDwx_SdKeB9yKLxOW8Llzfxs9VRDizFdBl2oT7f1uYnjSSZAh30LpJBifpM_1R0OyHhnftRZp2bF8Js4vmSOcYK6JsvC2VhKhqP/s1600/DSC_0472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq25mH7CeSfdmUUEMAeRwYshj3CkiiZIxXT7SBDmxW3sDwx_SdKeB9yKLxOW8Llzfxs9VRDizFdBl2oT7f1uYnjSSZAh30LpJBifpM_1R0OyHhnftRZp2bF8Js4vmSOcYK6JsvC2VhKhqP/s320/DSC_0472.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> They pretend they are giraffes and eat leaves....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlG19kcmCX8f9XL328hGHqCaZORiHxGSbFR0MIeHFbxspwSyEW5YNrnRgB6357llXkT_XQg5d6Qxk1IdM3BZxVXnkgqG9hF41IaWhsLQr8ipXtZCKKyt4oc-KJh1LHFX9Mvrip0zbb7pF/s1600/DSC_0480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlG19kcmCX8f9XL328hGHqCaZORiHxGSbFR0MIeHFbxspwSyEW5YNrnRgB6357llXkT_XQg5d6Qxk1IdM3BZxVXnkgqG9hF41IaWhsLQr8ipXtZCKKyt4oc-KJh1LHFX9Mvrip0zbb7pF/s320/DSC_0480.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> They walk the wrong way....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg547cSPerejaBvBoV25hHy62d8Fr00PY3OgTthU1GOBx6alxb6eaMMDyaPZQkD8nj8-V1uE74cERz0qDZcID3MjMrruLWNcKo0ab9ieP2rs-V7zN8Uwq_sX0K7_Ikx0tUBK6MMdiImux-F/s1600/DSC_0486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg547cSPerejaBvBoV25hHy62d8Fr00PY3OgTthU1GOBx6alxb6eaMMDyaPZQkD8nj8-V1uE74cERz0qDZcID3MjMrruLWNcKo0ab9ieP2rs-V7zN8Uwq_sX0K7_Ikx0tUBK6MMdiImux-F/s320/DSC_0486.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> They show off their backsides....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRMbMNTE712qQnifI3LqmIgkrnepBjgbgkuwIOvmmOeGU07d4rTMJXJhxITt35hJTbIhvYmYWP47iKNC2X6OW1zXcbjWv7u8e_khsw1Ac2GJzbvHD3MlCj0M0X8AQZgBOzqi9f44KwAsZ/s1600/DSC_0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRMbMNTE712qQnifI3LqmIgkrnepBjgbgkuwIOvmmOeGU07d4rTMJXJhxITt35hJTbIhvYmYWP47iKNC2X6OW1zXcbjWv7u8e_khsw1Ac2GJzbvHD3MlCj0M0X8AQZgBOzqi9f44KwAsZ/s320/DSC_0498.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> They play hide-and-seek...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU-a6EvzAxQmzWxNdIIKUlj0Cjgsa3JkmxO_64Il_p4qEPF55MTNmckFny57cTMb9JKV8pWhtk58pmBMbQi4kIZIQMMzcxtu_Iu0Zcj49xiEtbDsFoPAc46te9QVpoFOID0Tz_IHF7Epb/s1600/DSC_0500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU-a6EvzAxQmzWxNdIIKUlj0Cjgsa3JkmxO_64Il_p4qEPF55MTNmckFny57cTMb9JKV8pWhtk58pmBMbQi4kIZIQMMzcxtu_Iu0Zcj49xiEtbDsFoPAc46te9QVpoFOID0Tz_IHF7Epb/s320/DSC_0500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> They think about eating paper....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wicBIBIdRvwT2VtnKpDON48UqSqCyMAGhCxkI-LRyXmxLcX9ZUgEP-DBR2q3zAFu9pJ2EspoatJ3Kn2tRM65wfkB2cYedjvCdP2uDnO35J8NkjH1Eg1zvRSXGgnNuoH5Yh4u3DvqBXF_/s1600/DSC_0501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wicBIBIdRvwT2VtnKpDON48UqSqCyMAGhCxkI-LRyXmxLcX9ZUgEP-DBR2q3zAFu9pJ2EspoatJ3Kn2tRM65wfkB2cYedjvCdP2uDnO35J8NkjH1Eg1zvRSXGgnNuoH5Yh4u3DvqBXF_/s320/DSC_0501.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> Then they try to eat paper....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDgfkgeW6gPDUUh1o_HUQZLh1ZYIDzWlKWzEnx6I-jaH_vJMp5wpLYFAK_OuHE_Bdo6BG58hElujyzZjU46t3yiG2Uog5e5Vi_td3UUh64XsjhU1P4XH3IFnvutJbox1kk0GJYEidTIDI/s1600/DSC_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDgfkgeW6gPDUUh1o_HUQZLh1ZYIDzWlKWzEnx6I-jaH_vJMp5wpLYFAK_OuHE_Bdo6BG58hElujyzZjU46t3yiG2Uog5e5Vi_td3UUh64XsjhU1P4XH3IFnvutJbox1kk0GJYEidTIDI/s320/DSC_0504.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> They strike a pose... (some of you might recognize Maya from our Christmas Card picture a couple years ago. If not, I posted it below. Maya's the one with the fake antlers on her head. She likes to think she's famous)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08o72nTThi05wlzCCiQltB-9pZriujqOiUN9NX9CzSOZpDDk7Ms8dZXvbOfdhIPN39OYC5R7d2mJK0Z6sLM1Le2Ujc6IzQ_BWUjBjKpDCliGZHyezO0eByPTzTAi_aao_pzlyYFs9YYIT/s1600/Christmas+Card+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08o72nTThi05wlzCCiQltB-9pZriujqOiUN9NX9CzSOZpDDk7Ms8dZXvbOfdhIPN39OYC5R7d2mJK0Z6sLM1Le2Ujc6IzQ_BWUjBjKpDCliGZHyezO0eByPTzTAi_aao_pzlyYFs9YYIT/s320/Christmas+Card+2009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And Laila stands around and requests back scratches...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gJCCFavMaa3K4Gw5VgFw45y7pYc_B8dgP72Pn4P8XGQLLLCkq0D029KkABNDN-D_DaQ3k3IGE39OQbt0E2Al4O3Dqs2owoGsdzljxrqEmnoMUR7I0-9cplhryyCdFq2vRDoeb5Hmcgyo/s1600/DSC_0507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gJCCFavMaa3K4Gw5VgFw45y7pYc_B8dgP72Pn4P8XGQLLLCkq0D029KkABNDN-D_DaQ3k3IGE39OQbt0E2Al4O3Dqs2owoGsdzljxrqEmnoMUR7I0-9cplhryyCdFq2vRDoeb5Hmcgyo/s320/DSC_0507.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
It's not easy being a cow!<br />
<br />
<div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-14843590883437338022011-08-17T08:18:00.000-07:002011-08-17T08:21:13.477-07:00When It RainsIt seems like there's been quite a series of unexpected issues around our house lately. It all started when <strike>our</strike> my oven quit working. I can say my oven because Nick doesn't use it unless he's putting tater tots in to bake. I didn't really realize how much I use my oven until it took 1 1/2 hours to heat to 350. It wasn't really going to be cost effective to fix a 15 year old stove (parental hand-me-downs...gotta love 'em) so off to Best Buy we went to get a new one...and it sure is pretty. I don't know how I cooked without it.<br />
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The day before the stove got delivered, my husband had his wisdom teeth removed (which wasn't really unexpected since I scheduled the appointment) and started the process of giving up his Grizzly addiction (that's where the issue comes in--he's pretty unfriendly sans nicotine). So he was off work 3 days last week recovering.<br />
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Today I woke up to him not being able to get out of bed with a back injury. So on the third day of school, I called in so I could take him to the doctor. Luckily my principals are very nice and were understanding about it. I'm not thrilled with the doctor's diagnosis of a strain with a prescription and an order to stay home from work for another 3 days...not because I don't think he knows what he's talking about, but because the examination didn't seem very thorough, and I haven't seen my hubs in this much pain since he traveled to Cincinnati with a broken back to buy my engagement ring. If it's not better soon, as in tomorrow, we'll be seeking another opinion.<br />
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So, say a little prayer for the Elgin household. The Mr. is hurting and the Mrs. isn't used to having to be so nurturing.<br />
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<div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-74698324718234886102011-08-01T14:24:00.000-07:002011-08-01T14:24:00.229-07:00I May Be A Freak...I'm sure my sisters would be the first to offer their opinions on that matter. But if I'm a freak, at least I'm an organized one! My last few days of freedom have been spent doing projects for school, and at school, like painting stacking boxes with chalkboard paint and taking EVERYTHING out of my school cabinets and organizing.<br />
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<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a01Lz4UzTCcWqyXqaRzFxju4cSvtLmaP-2enLmaQ7jYCNYHgv8UiYZZyaChc94iAGWedt0b_r0jsmhH1k7wtKkl-yLXzD4pn4LoFf1i4sIKlUtErDHLPIw_AavMN-lX1ODpBzpqBYlg_/s1600/closet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a01Lz4UzTCcWqyXqaRzFxju4cSvtLmaP-2enLmaQ7jYCNYHgv8UiYZZyaChc94iAGWedt0b_r0jsmhH1k7wtKkl-yLXzD4pn4LoFf1i4sIKlUtErDHLPIw_AavMN-lX1ODpBzpqBYlg_/s320/closet1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<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/AVvXsEhiEOCS8Y22u5t1JOwL-n6IV_FFptV73eypHZGHxC9dl00xANl5fEsraZzXMWgOKxveVn-lmN5X_iVRehBBULbC8zl1gqbZZxsZ3s2Btd4s2aVLfKNIBclI0a6oyxMFRT9cfne2F1sPG5x9/s1600/closet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEOCS8Y22u5t1JOwL-n6IV_FFptV73eypHZGHxC9dl00xANl5fEsraZzXMWgOKxveVn-lmN5X_iVRehBBULbC8zl1gqbZZxsZ3s2Btd4s2aVLfKNIBclI0a6oyxMFRT9cfne2F1sPG5x9/s320/closet2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I don't have before pictures, but let me paint you a little picture. All those boxes (except the small ones) have sets of novels for one of my classes. The books were all piled up in stacks on the shelves. It was difficult to see what we had, let alone get to it. After 3 years I couldn't take it anymore. Thanks to Ikea organization, my closet is ready for back to school. Maybe I'll catch up!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-90568652143053826392011-07-20T17:05:00.000-07:002011-07-20T17:41:51.253-07:00Wordless Wednesday - Nephew's Cattle Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqCEnpdslNXHfUSSw7csjqoRLKjgrNkoZQdxuLOFiFoUitAY-NOL3o2vzWBEas8QryAFQI33UY_bXyfSkRSssaHGl8vfFy2zjlipU2xBzSWUIZArmlP8zATKZ7kI0-eBhgEEYDjgLQGaW/s1600/DSC_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqCEnpdslNXHfUSSw7csjqoRLKjgrNkoZQdxuLOFiFoUitAY-NOL3o2vzWBEas8QryAFQI33UY_bXyfSkRSssaHGl8vfFy2zjlipU2xBzSWUIZArmlP8zATKZ7kI0-eBhgEEYDjgLQGaW/s320/DSC_1193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl4GXLjLXTPhppftgHoEC2I5Wvg7kaLcGGb4Kb7bNBfjYQog0AK-8kikQG37ItHPAM0D2MniDsK3A5cUAzwNcfIdf8WLaAt4SD9H4FDp2GW-qMEXwSgkI-Xk_6ArF0xk2xDdKZ7UDrzPu/s1600/DSC_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl4GXLjLXTPhppftgHoEC2I5Wvg7kaLcGGb4Kb7bNBfjYQog0AK-8kikQG37ItHPAM0D2MniDsK3A5cUAzwNcfIdf8WLaAt4SD9H4FDp2GW-qMEXwSgkI-Xk_6ArF0xk2xDdKZ7UDrzPu/s320/DSC_1213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdGll58wz7bJCaxf4cmDHwSthkhHnXuePYfUCTb4xk1NDU-lai1CmQq1xT7eyQ-xekP80Cfx1VNkjaPZzVtMeuPOHMVn3M59v5CQ0pTEfjihnr84Bk-7lF1d5oyiNSHWWI4ExlRVhtTUp/s1600/DSC_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdGll58wz7bJCaxf4cmDHwSthkhHnXuePYfUCTb4xk1NDU-lai1CmQq1xT7eyQ-xekP80Cfx1VNkjaPZzVtMeuPOHMVn3M59v5CQ0pTEfjihnr84Bk-7lF1d5oyiNSHWWI4ExlRVhtTUp/s320/DSC_1225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(my brother-in-law and husband)</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/AVvXsEghDter1UBycbyShCWA5MsBiRQjqHcY4LqvrddyYmafljYckDfYLaCMLWH3iqxfIliUaEztlqGNz5JTA9lK7UJLex36_aozdMbLCI3P3Okf9wE5674DvBGFWG99zUDufKsv6XX6t-5GoJks/s1600/DSC_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDter1UBycbyShCWA5MsBiRQjqHcY4LqvrddyYmafljYckDfYLaCMLWH3iqxfIliUaEztlqGNz5JTA9lK7UJLex36_aozdMbLCI3P3Okf9wE5674DvBGFWG99zUDufKsv6XX6t-5GoJks/s320/DSC_1305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-57520063057729530102011-07-19T19:03:00.000-07:002011-07-19T19:04:09.873-07:00A Fair WeekWhen I married a cattle farmer, and learned how to help with the cows, I knew there would be a lot of things I'd do that I never imagined I'd do. This week at the fair has been no exception. There's been a lot of experiences I didn't see myself in 10 years ago. I'll share a list of those things....<br />
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<ul><li>I've had the side of my foot stomped by the steer...hard! I've been stepped on before the this one HURT</li>
<li>I was peed on</li>
<li>I was pooped on</li>
<li>I got drenched with the hose "accidentally" while my husband was washing calves. Stay away from our wash pen...you will get wet.</li>
<li>I fell off the tractor</li>
<li>My new boots gave me blisters</li>
<li>I sat in the cattle barn in the heat</li>
<li>I shared the fans with the heifers, who were fine with that if it meant chin scratches for them</li>
<li>The farmers tan returned! ugh</li>
<li>I got to teach my nephew how to play Tetris on my smartphone</li>
<li>I was able to spend lots of time with my husband, nephew, and brother-in-laws</li>
<li>I got to buy my nephew ice cream</li>
<li>I experienced the fair in a whole new way</li>
<li>I sat in the stands with my dad and my in-laws and was a nervous wreck. I love going to livestock shows with my Dad. He used to do livestock judging so I learn a lot</li>
<li>I got the "#1" sign from my nephew when his heifer won Champion Angus Heifer and glares from the show ring because I was taking his picture...a lot</li>
</ul>It's been a really fun week! I've learned a lot, and so has my nephew. I love this life, and even though I do things all the time I never dreamed I'd be doing, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I can't wait for next year.<br />
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I'll post pictures from tonight's show for Wordless Wednesday tomorrow.<br />
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<div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-81782089851639958952011-07-18T13:52:00.000-07:002011-07-18T13:52:17.282-07:00One Hot ShowI hate hot weather. I always have. If Indiana stayed in the 50-70 degree range all year long I would be one happy girl. Unfortunately, July in Southern Indiana has had an insane number of 90 degree days, and as I'm typing this, my husband told me that the heat index could be 110 degrees tomorrow. Normally, I would choose the coolest day of the week to mow the yard, prune my roses in the early morning before it gets too hot and stay in the air conditioning as much as possible.<br />
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It's a good plan in theory, but not this week. It's fair week here, and our nephew is showing calves for the first time. Getting the calves ready for all these months has been a true family affair. Nick and I halter broke them (and several others) back in the fall when they were still relatively small. We've spent countless hours walking them and making sure they were gentle enough for our nephew to handle them as he's not been too sure about this whole cattle show thing. My brother-in-law has spent most mornings since school got out washing the calves and teaching our nephew how to set them up.<br />
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Unfortunately, my brother-in-law hurt his knee last Thursday and could hardly walk on Saturday when it came time to move the calves and get them ready for the 4H show. That meant a 14 hour day for me and Nick that started a little before 6 am thanks to my Mom's dog who was staying with us.<br />
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It was a hot experience, although tomorrow promises to be worse. Nick and I spent the morning (after we got everything unloaded and weighed in) washing all three calves while my brother-in-law dried them with the blower since that required the least amount of movement on his part. We had to make another trip to the farm, I fell off the tractor and scraped up the palm of my hand, finished getting the calves ready, made a quick trip home to shower and change, and then went back to the fairgrounds to get things ready to my nephew to show. He did a great job for his first year, and one of our heifers won Champion Angus Heifer, and the steer won Champion Angus Steer. My nephew was thrilled he won some ribbons and a trophy or two, and is already making plans for what he's taking next year. Now if we can just survive the County Born and Raised Show tomorrow night.<br />
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I'll leave you with a few pictures of my nephew and his calves. Stay cool, and for those of you NOT working with livestock at the fair, enjoy your a/c!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-60409617645206187542011-07-07T21:30:00.000-07:002011-07-07T21:30:42.740-07:004th on the FarmLast year, the 4th of July became a big deal for my husband's family. Nick and his brother bought fireworks, we had a cookout, and Nick and his brothers had a great time embracing their inner teenager setting off fireworks.<br />
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Our nieces and nephews LOVED the fireworks, and have been looking forward to this year's celebration since the last one ended. Our oldest niece is 6, and asked Nick almost every time she saw him if he would set off more fireworks for the 4th of July.<br />
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If the kids thought that last year was fun, this year would've been more fun x 10. This year's festivities included a trip to Tennessee (our vacation with a stop at the fireworks superstore), A LOT more people, and TONS more food. My husband likes to smoke <strike>things</strike> meat...in his smoker...with wood chips and such. There's really no way to word that sentence that doesn't make him seem a little suspect. =) Anyway, there were 2 pork shoulders, a pork loin, some smoked sausage, and 12! whole chickens, plus all kinds of other stuff. I made homemade BBQ sauce...3 kinds...it was ridiculous, and the sad thing was there wasn't much left over.<br />
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When we left Tennessee, Nick put all of our luggage in the back seat of my car. Why, you ask? I'll show you why...<br />
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Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not cooperate with our plans, and the fireworks show had to be postponed to our county fair week when the family will all be home again. I'm sure the cattle can't wait for the noise!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none;" /> </a><br />
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</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-30476917095880947242011-06-14T19:57:00.000-07:002011-06-14T19:57:41.287-07:00Wordless Wednesday - Scenes from my Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMHvudhQXafnTFW_i5sw_X7Tn4pPHCFb1tUpDTsZYP1oMY-CJmkiRcrTtK1YtBZwIhLA4KKk-TdpLQDzw4pwP8MU08SyCbNr421v0ET-rxx0GlE-8SENKbozV2xfRb2E5mIa5IBgtxb_A/s1600/DSC_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMHvudhQXafnTFW_i5sw_X7Tn4pPHCFb1tUpDTsZYP1oMY-CJmkiRcrTtK1YtBZwIhLA4KKk-TdpLQDzw4pwP8MU08SyCbNr421v0ET-rxx0GlE-8SENKbozV2xfRb2E5mIa5IBgtxb_A/s320/DSC_0847.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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<div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-80871535474360587772011-06-12T18:37:00.000-07:002011-06-12T19:43:22.486-07:00Weekend Warriors<div><br />
Our house is always a work in progress, especially the yard. For the most part, the yard is in order, but there was one side of the house that was just yucky. We started our quest to fix that about 3 weeks ago.<br />
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I created this bed last summer when friends and family gave me starts of flowers to add to my garden. Unfortunately it never got mulched and the rain this spring was fantastic for the weeds. I forgot to take a before picture, but this is what it looked like after <strike>I dug</strike> Nick dug up all the plants I wanted to keep. You can get an idea of what it looked like....<br />
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We've had problems with "stuff" coming up voluntarily. My dad cut it off with a chainsaw...I cut the shoots with loppers...Nick tried to kill them with brush killer...they refused to die. Nick finally decided to get to the root of the problem, literally.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifznfcbEs5AiKpyrGiJ44Vq6V2R-TF5rPjgAntkOjTYdUgA_HZcrert881s0SsulQv_1XOXnItsNZ5QmPeFeN4liOGnfKLa1NCEO88WHpfUkj0nQGiSVW6R-_bThlt4FNO-UWZftkL22CO/s1600/IMG00199-20110521-2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifznfcbEs5AiKpyrGiJ44Vq6V2R-TF5rPjgAntkOjTYdUgA_HZcrert881s0SsulQv_1XOXnItsNZ5QmPeFeN4liOGnfKLa1NCEO88WHpfUkj0nQGiSVW6R-_bThlt4FNO-UWZftkL22CO/s320/IMG00199-20110521-2006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There were 3 of these! Getting rid of them involved our shovel breaking, and the use of an axe. I had to go raid my parents barn for another shovel and an axe. If people saw me leaving the barn, they probably thought I was going off to murder someone. Once everything was dug out, Nick tilled it all up again, and we replanted the plants we saved.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC332yuTsAoSpuHa3DVqQ-I8WSGt-3-NYpUJFMEG80NmxssYMBTzn0Zh3b370EJZXBodN4_Ib0yCI21k4ULe7QFTVT3mRcM1kuISnb7TOdivpkfNt1b_m3BORpCMpD8niyGIcEzJ9UHVx/s1600/IMG00207-20110522-1658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC332yuTsAoSpuHa3DVqQ-I8WSGt-3-NYpUJFMEG80NmxssYMBTzn0Zh3b370EJZXBodN4_Ib0yCI21k4ULe7QFTVT3mRcM1kuISnb7TOdivpkfNt1b_m3BORpCMpD8niyGIcEzJ9UHVx/s320/IMG00207-20110522-1658.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was already a huge improvement. Meanwhile, I put together THE coolest decoration to ever grace my front door. Wallitsch's Nursery is my favorite place to get flowers, and the first time I went there this spring, I saw this and had to have it.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC_NpK34_cRnEaR_wlPckD_feGa30rptIlPngbt5NMSJLlnB8ah1hBYLSu0BSfiz2VdduRYftKqbqjynH264_Yefz8sEByAk9k2ieb_8g3aPKzg3WHt9k5PT-BOEUqmJTCmOKv9ilTWo7/s1600/IMG00205-20110522-1445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC_NpK34_cRnEaR_wlPckD_feGa30rptIlPngbt5NMSJLlnB8ah1hBYLSu0BSfiz2VdduRYftKqbqjynH264_Yefz8sEByAk9k2ieb_8g3aPKzg3WHt9k5PT-BOEUqmJTCmOKv9ilTWo7/s320/IMG00205-20110522-1445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div>In addition to the 2 rose bushes I got on the second trip to Wallitsch's when I got my front door decor, Nick brought me home 2 more for my birthday, bringing the grand total to 12. This weekend all the flower beds got a fresh layer of mulch, well, expect for the small section that has to wait until tomorrow because we ran out.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZwTrjU32AhvwHM5RsoM1xbi8_wc4EeLSOsjPIyHkxwM9y38HRJrzX-iBD6svouwpIKQqgJCOCX8xNaHKZWAh7wli5XgLSuBEPGbcHUC1irA9l5qGrOqrI-y0g7gHbcfxrOmE6jLa6cfT/s1600/IMG00225-20110611-1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZwTrjU32AhvwHM5RsoM1xbi8_wc4EeLSOsjPIyHkxwM9y38HRJrzX-iBD6svouwpIKQqgJCOCX8xNaHKZWAh7wli5XgLSuBEPGbcHUC1irA9l5qGrOqrI-y0g7gHbcfxrOmE6jLa6cfT/s320/IMG00225-20110611-1224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div>Some of us worked harder than others....</div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDUVlROYy1MYT-ADFYz7-IgNECjztxhEMjGY-zJY-zzzgB1R38udzQp67P8UbdlsrnPlUo6UaeloW-bJH8I81K7ru9eS3QbKRUihVcox6Z589QQYDaxSqfiz_qq9QsLfQs1Y7Bw0M5DU-/s1600/IMG00224-20110611-1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDUVlROYy1MYT-ADFYz7-IgNECjztxhEMjGY-zJY-zzzgB1R38udzQp67P8UbdlsrnPlUo6UaeloW-bJH8I81K7ru9eS3QbKRUihVcox6Z589QQYDaxSqfiz_qq9QsLfQs1Y7Bw0M5DU-/s320/IMG00224-20110611-1135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
After the mulching, I put the copper ID tags into the rose bed, which also came from Wallitsch's. I think this weekend(s) project is in the bag.</div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xhSBnt7W1rT_4Lv5sefttNEDHE2LLDe3vXQ1pTVvMu7rWPnYBI7P9Sal_dSv3iepUxmQH45Q0j2WJve3FPSDL237L4SRq17b_LlKEzm9Ns_jy_YM2NIWLkVQOemKcEPiWBdADWHx-A7n/s1600/IMG00221-20110611-1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xhSBnt7W1rT_4Lv5sefttNEDHE2LLDe3vXQ1pTVvMu7rWPnYBI7P9Sal_dSv3iepUxmQH45Q0j2WJve3FPSDL237L4SRq17b_LlKEzm9Ns_jy_YM2NIWLkVQOemKcEPiWBdADWHx-A7n/s320/IMG00221-20110611-1114.jpg" width="320" /></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/AVvXsEjzap6V_2nFLf89kmt6zixSjZLiUKdIOZynFlVvWyFO7iYjzztdIJLB3wuQE7QV15JSRgafECW_M69AzA6SKTkPVTfQ6rBn-iOAG1s_nSCI2K0N7cOHFOadQXHv3oyAJpex72OIZ73PAhzR/s1600/IMG00227-20110611-1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzap6V_2nFLf89kmt6zixSjZLiUKdIOZynFlVvWyFO7iYjzztdIJLB3wuQE7QV15JSRgafECW_M69AzA6SKTkPVTfQ6rBn-iOAG1s_nSCI2K0N7cOHFOadQXHv3oyAJpex72OIZ73PAhzR/s320/IMG00227-20110611-1228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-71141886822405082682011-05-11T13:50:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:36:54.724-07:00Farm Fun<div>It's been a rough week to say the least. I've been working on a research proposal for my Masters degree for well over a week...the rough draft is due Saturday...I'm not even half way finished yet. I don't get stressed out. I never have been one to stress, but this research proposal combined with state tests for my sophomores next week, and working on all the "end of the year" stuff is about to push me over the edge. I've woken up the past three mornings with headaches...I've been sick to my stomach...it's been bad. Last night when I was on the verge of tears, Nick started talking about my favorite farm stories.<br />
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I didn't really think about cattle having personalities until I started dating Nick. I changed my mind quickly. The ones that end up being my favorites are the ones with the most personality. Like S42...she is funny. She's a complete pet, and she gets jealous when her calf gets more attention than she does. About 6 weeks ago she had her calf outside in the pasture, which isn't usually allowed to happen at the Elgin farm. So my husband and I went out to help my father-in-law bring the calf into the barn. Nick and my father-in-law got the calf into the bucket of the tractor, and I was supposed to drive it in (although they didn't tell me that until they were both in the bucket with a wriggling calf). While I was getting into the seat, S42 marched right up to the bucket, looked my father-in-law square in the eye, and literally about 3 inches from his face let out the biggest bawl I've ever heard from her. She may have even stomped her foot. I got to laughing so hard I couldn't get the tractor in gear, which just irritated my father-in-law.<br />
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My other favorite (aside for Laila, who is a stubborn as they come) is T57. T is nosey. She's always at the fence checking out what we're doing. Our barn has two huge sliding doors on each end. One opens into the barn lot, and the other opens into the allyway that leads to pens, with the bale-yard on the other side of the ally. When the barn gets cleaned, the dirty bedding goes into a pile in the bale-yard until spring. So we had both doors open, all gates down and Nick and I were waiting for my father-in-law to finish feeding hay to come clean out the bedding, when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I looked up, and T57 was sauntering through the barn like she was thinking, "Don't mind me. I'm going going to sneak past and check it out in the barn lot." When she saw me watching her, she stopped dead in her tracks and you could almost see her think 'well crap'. I started toward her to turn her around and she gave a huff, and turned around and headed back to the pen to be with the other cows. I closed the gate to keep her in the allyway and stood there with T right beside me watching every little thing that went on. She was the first one back in the barn to check out the clean bedding.<br />
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I never would've guessed that stories about cows would be the thing that makes me laugh on days when I've barely even smiled.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
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</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-79488770031108648002011-05-01T18:12:00.000-07:002011-05-04T03:33:21.329-07:00Mothers Day Barn QuiltI have to admit, it's nice to have a project to blog about. Between Masters degree homework, and the fact that southern Indiana has had 8 days without rain in April, there hasn't been a lot of opportunity to do much. I did, however, take advantage of the break in the rain yesterday with the help of my husband to get started on the Mother's Day present for my Mom. And Mom doesn't read this blog, so for those of you who know her, don't say anything about it. <br />
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Barn quilts are big around here, and Mom's been wanting on. I looked at some, but why buy something I can make for cheaper? So that's exactly what I did. My husband cut the plywood for me into a 42" x 42" square, and I sanded it down on the front so I'd have a smooth painting surface. The sander is, by the way, the only power tool that I'm actually allowed to use. Once the plywood was cleaned, I primed it, and gave it a couple of coats of white paint.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJlCzY16DUnYQqt1Bp836ofPzyNuj3OrUq6S6mDKhL2BnhR2SLSpBN4fYOMkx1-d2iL867yNVhlt8Pr5sp2XVplAhUv6w8pdHPxUeocg3hwFEvVeKCl9L8crM8V4Qyb6xSixADttm8_wH/s1600/DSC_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJlCzY16DUnYQqt1Bp836ofPzyNuj3OrUq6S6mDKhL2BnhR2SLSpBN4fYOMkx1-d2iL867yNVhlt8Pr5sp2XVplAhUv6w8pdHPxUeocg3hwFEvVeKCl9L8crM8V4Qyb6xSixADttm8_wH/s320/DSC_0698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I found the quilt block that I wanted to paint in a book that I borrowed from my mother-in-law and used a trick I learned in Art class long ago. I divided the plywood into 10 1/2" squares to make it easy to lay out the quilt pattern.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktYVGUaHbYGlaIUmhyphenhyphen9rhUmlN4e6nKJp-JwTq1AAZBnwZYTn-zIhhIG42wA1yhjlEAM7jeIB4fiSpSsOA6QHluFFtkizXO0GZ7ryyh0UES828Y0VnJSDPH_8XdHFgEurC5IKMlxRl_Efs/s1600/DSC_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktYVGUaHbYGlaIUmhyphenhyphen9rhUmlN4e6nKJp-JwTq1AAZBnwZYTn-zIhhIG42wA1yhjlEAM7jeIB4fiSpSsOA6QHluFFtkizXO0GZ7ryyh0UES828Y0VnJSDPH_8XdHFgEurC5IKMlxRl_Efs/s320/DSC_0699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Basically all this pattern is was triangles, so it really wasn't too complicated to lay out. Basic geometry skills help.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHSNIaMud1jlWsA5KKzcVcJ04MQMMZvZcSBYCgQ5pbupPVo0EWhyMNbHJhIwhEkm48xtg9Tx_JiOJfL0RZ0UVELOx7GUA7N0WsdAayHjYAAwC2oxPF5qnDbuqC2dATNOroNx57XaRS0gK/s1600/DSC_0700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHSNIaMud1jlWsA5KKzcVcJ04MQMMZvZcSBYCgQ5pbupPVo0EWhyMNbHJhIwhEkm48xtg9Tx_JiOJfL0RZ0UVELOx7GUA7N0WsdAayHjYAAwC2oxPF5qnDbuqC2dATNOroNx57XaRS0gK/s320/DSC_0700.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Once I got the pattern laid out, I went through and marked which triangle should be which color.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8xECEBMx3Kzl-w4NIK6INcEY4XT0yRKmW0fzgxd_HX1EFd1yCvaTuAbNbGO2QcMTxrijMRRxSGrM5zdaoJA4HvBj7lxV5J2BfiqXwJdRW8z0fGcn5TtzoKVp5EHmJgl1FOfFPQT5WiBQ/s1600/DSC_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8xECEBMx3Kzl-w4NIK6INcEY4XT0yRKmW0fzgxd_HX1EFd1yCvaTuAbNbGO2QcMTxrijMRRxSGrM5zdaoJA4HvBj7lxV5J2BfiqXwJdRW8z0fGcn5TtzoKVp5EHmJgl1FOfFPQT5WiBQ/s320/DSC_0702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After that, it was time to paint. If you aren't sure handed, you might want to tape off the triangles, but I refuse to use painters tape, mostly because I'm too lazy to. Plus all those Art classes helped. I got sample pots of paint from Lowe's to paint the triangles. My sister suggested mixing my own, but I'm not very consistent went it comes to mixing paint colors, so I went with the sample pots.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgW8L2xz2PlKhqpAVzePXSPNhk6n9oUMRqwTKLntUZKLg3m3MNBjt15F1O8rr57eOF-FALQMtxtq43dTl2vXz29kp3Mn0hkBoEHjUMsxY3UDjiPfHAngw2Dnl_32edNVUs3UTq6pZ71x6/s1600/DSC_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgW8L2xz2PlKhqpAVzePXSPNhk6n9oUMRqwTKLntUZKLg3m3MNBjt15F1O8rr57eOF-FALQMtxtq43dTl2vXz29kp3Mn0hkBoEHjUMsxY3UDjiPfHAngw2Dnl_32edNVUs3UTq6pZ71x6/s320/DSC_0705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It took a couple of coats of the light and medium blue color, but the dark blue took 3 coats. Once all the triangles were painted, all that was left to do was get rid of the grid lines.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zHmb8gB-G3w3l6e1pUCol42aUIMguWG57XHETlLRlLW0wf6cjcGYYM5cM4wdFFc2Fmov8dKsiQVzyQmwD7gc1Oh2oVf02c4LNAWg2APAkXd4zYuw2IeC-WH0fv8crFDt2xe7PFc1YEK2/s1600/DSC_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zHmb8gB-G3w3l6e1pUCol42aUIMguWG57XHETlLRlLW0wf6cjcGYYM5cM4wdFFc2Fmov8dKsiQVzyQmwD7gc1Oh2oVf02c4LNAWg2APAkXd4zYuw2IeC-WH0fv8crFDt2xe7PFc1YEK2/s320/DSC_0707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I painted over the lines with white paint, but if you have primer, it would be a good idea to paint it with primer first. It took several coats to cover the pencil lines...like 10 coats, no lie. The final step is to spray it with a clear coat of sealer to keep the paint safe.<br />
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But I'm happy with the finished product, and I'm excited to see it hanging on the barn at my parents house.<br />
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I'm posting to...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sunday Showcase @ <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/">Under the Table and Dreaming</a><br />
Motivate Me Monday @ <a href="http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/">Keeping it Simple </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Make it Yours Day @ <a href="http://www.mybackyardeden.com/2011/05/make-it-yours-day-64.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mybackyardeden%2FSJvZ+%28My+Backyard+Eden%29">My Backyard Eden</a><br />
Take A Look Tuesday @ <a href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/">Sugar Bee Crafts</a><br />
Too Cute Tuesday @ <a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/">Funky Polkadot Giraffe</a><br />
Talent Tuesday @ <a href="http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D">Vintage Wanna Bee</a><br />
Terrific Under Ten Tuesday @ <a href="http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/">At Home With K</a><br />
Homemade Tuesdays @ <a href="http://ladybug-blessings.com/">Ladybug Blessings</a><br />
Inspiring Creativity @ <a href="http://twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/inspiring-creativity.html">Dragonfly Designs</a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-5730938666028362712011-04-05T17:23:00.000-07:002011-04-05T17:23:28.700-07:00Laundry Time<div>This was the conversation in our house this morning when I was leaving and Nick was getting ready (since he went in late because of basketball games...must be nice...)<br />
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Nick: Do I have any clean socks?<br />
Me: I don't know, do you?<br />
Nick: There's none in my drawer....<br />
Me: Then I guess not.<br />
Nick: Did you wash any?<br />
Me: Did you tell me you needed socks washed?<br />
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Needless to say, there are several piles of laundry on the floor of the bedroom and socks in the dryer....<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-19510569745870998472011-04-02T07:11:00.000-07:002011-04-03T10:00:14.311-07:00Vanity RevampSince last week was Spring Break so I went on a mission to finish my bathroom make-over, and by the time I went back to work this past Monday, it was almost finished. The last little project I have is to figure out what pictures I want to put in my Ikea frames.<br />
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Last Saturday, my family lost <a href="http://beingelgin.blogspot.com/2010/03/dog-days.html">Millie</a>, our Golden Retriever that my parents got for me and my sisters 13 years ago. To distract myself on Sunday, I kept busy painting the vanity in the bathroom black, and now that it's done I love it.<br />
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This is what it looked like before...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1jjSK6qClJnXiyaqlTOPrWOMO9GvRyfV-ZTbQrgxdmm6mpxWw4XeWuloVuC4LCEbWzYxEnR8oU57nAos8yuAOOjT6jeAvTbp2_9Pp8ibZhRav6YWA5CkvOIIS8tzNwYdcHwjvVE_bBko/s1600/IMG00133-20110322-0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1jjSK6qClJnXiyaqlTOPrWOMO9GvRyfV-ZTbQrgxdmm6mpxWw4XeWuloVuC4LCEbWzYxEnR8oU57nAos8yuAOOjT6jeAvTbp2_9Pp8ibZhRav6YWA5CkvOIIS8tzNwYdcHwjvVE_bBko/s320/IMG00133-20110322-0842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately I didn't have as good a picture as I thought. But you can see the color of the vanity on the mirrors. It certainly wasn't bad, but it's not exactly one I was in love with. The door pulls were shiney silver, and the vanity was starting to look like it was 10 years old.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQsNza0fyvqvom0kvZ5n21v710bf8IouuoBUuhhyRi1e0oV5Qy9ScCNMZVzIafULFxd6R2aOYtLgUCNjMoJhVMzGWloFcWqDfVMSMG315F9tAeF6EHv1Tz5Z8Jw6Q4cRRY2pubDo5ooMh/s1600/IMG00143-20110327-1001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQsNza0fyvqvom0kvZ5n21v710bf8IouuoBUuhhyRi1e0oV5Qy9ScCNMZVzIafULFxd6R2aOYtLgUCNjMoJhVMzGWloFcWqDfVMSMG315F9tAeF6EHv1Tz5Z8Jw6Q4cRRY2pubDo5ooMh/s320/IMG00143-20110327-1001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My husband took our mirrors down first, and they got sanded with 220 grit sandpaper and cleaned. I just sanded the finish enough to allow the paint to stick, although I may not have sanded it quite enough...stime will tell. I painted the mirrors and the vanity with Valspar's Dark Black Kettle paint. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">He also took off the doors, and I painted the drawers and the vanity itself. My husband offered to let me buy new door pulls, mainly because he wanted to recycle the old ones for use in his garage. This is what the old ones looked like, along with the wood color of the vanity.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHbdGSAlTRVUEUn6KzA9Q5VaW3nD7_b4xxFWoRWjgQYd4gRfjxmY1p3JULqhNk0tfAzctBXFCY31FFzQ9jeK4l87KVUYgRZlhL5-jTM74YOHjPnrS96-mF8B4YrP637jD0Kjbbf0WPgte/s1600/DSC_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHbdGSAlTRVUEUn6KzA9Q5VaW3nD7_b4xxFWoRWjgQYd4gRfjxmY1p3JULqhNk0tfAzctBXFCY31FFzQ9jeK4l87KVUYgRZlhL5-jTM74YOHjPnrS96-mF8B4YrP637jD0Kjbbf0WPgte/s320/DSC_0678.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Those are now on my husband's cabinets in the garage. After some paint and the new door pulls, this is the end result...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzkDDCCYCNrTfOUkV27ax40u_x5QFXI1CLhThh8GjUWkWGwwvtEBY5jon7UnxIBOsST8KNa1tTo4TmVG82idBptcrP9EWi6orTh3HTm-Brr5mZDipCfhAt8T_dSpMIpeamB0HasZDxET2/s1600/IMG00148-20110402-0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzkDDCCYCNrTfOUkV27ax40u_x5QFXI1CLhThh8GjUWkWGwwvtEBY5jon7UnxIBOsST8KNa1tTo4TmVG82idBptcrP9EWi6orTh3HTm-Brr5mZDipCfhAt8T_dSpMIpeamB0HasZDxET2/s320/IMG00148-20110402-0937.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And the mirrors...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7M6wl_dow6xrpIFXo-uggxB3X797J7jEHXlU-5TJLx3b2Mv86ij7Jp-PHF0LuT5mrqO6aOUfPzG74yW_Mi3FKOr7VEunIqJFK0JA56akdGC5uiFOOduWItTPWQnP4KDgQUvBACL0lOQX/s1600/IMG00150-20110402-0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7M6wl_dow6xrpIFXo-uggxB3X797J7jEHXlU-5TJLx3b2Mv86ij7Jp-PHF0LuT5mrqO6aOUfPzG74yW_Mi3FKOr7VEunIqJFK0JA56akdGC5uiFOOduWItTPWQnP4KDgQUvBACL0lOQX/s320/IMG00150-20110402-0938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And the vanity as a whole...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXjesYEn5d1c8YXvPcmY0PahXEzOGckF5aGrwqYrrG_uKRENh1A3am1yUkG_r2AcHEU1omkcPBROBP7RGB6x6COhGsM_yVuXUHjdYRQL3q0DUAfA1rYUJs19268pJO2XODxV93UhpUEQ2/s1600/IMG00147-20110402-0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXjesYEn5d1c8YXvPcmY0PahXEzOGckF5aGrwqYrrG_uKRENh1A3am1yUkG_r2AcHEU1omkcPBROBP7RGB6x6COhGsM_yVuXUHjdYRQL3q0DUAfA1rYUJs19268pJO2XODxV93UhpUEQ2/s320/IMG00147-20110402-0937.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We're loving the new vanity, and the bathroom as a whole. It feels much more "grown up" now, and rivals the <a href="http://beingelgin.blogspot.com/2010/09/bathroom-redesign-pt-2.html">guest bath</a> for our favorite.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Sunday Showcase @ <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/">Under the Table and Dreaming</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just Something I Whipped Up @ <a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/">The Girl Creative</a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-64556251417424419752011-03-22T18:55:00.000-07:002011-03-22T18:55:03.655-07:00Master Bath Makeover BeginsFor many, Spring Break means vacations, relaxation, and fun. For me, it means projects. During the school year, especially now that I'm in the middle of Master's classes, I'm doing good to get dinner made and keep the house presentable. But during Spring and Summer breaks, it's project time! This week...the master bathroom. <br />
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These are the before shots...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR0ehvFZ83mG2armAALLsl5PucKgQ2QLZeADzuxCR3OLoUGFA2T_6YEkccxW8uTTslIzQS6Gz4PzegeSzsn5euxo3XW2pkSgj27eMi_Ucak-5gSQzgtSpAsgXMtT5PJIUNx7SnMEDK4yL/s1600/IMG00131-20110322-0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR0ehvFZ83mG2armAALLsl5PucKgQ2QLZeADzuxCR3OLoUGFA2T_6YEkccxW8uTTslIzQS6Gz4PzegeSzsn5euxo3XW2pkSgj27eMi_Ucak-5gSQzgtSpAsgXMtT5PJIUNx7SnMEDK4yL/s320/IMG00131-20110322-0841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7owSi6VWqeRYuR0h-vSh77wJPBwqIx2wJG98FgfKuVvkxpBm4XWsUPnJ4WCUjyM1NxHRfSh-EXPco1pdLaAfOl8VoM6sSXiXr7Pb5WRiXwht6PTtVfOoqQHLJASZlaQEpU2xDVn-sealq/s1600/IMG00132-20110322-0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7owSi6VWqeRYuR0h-vSh77wJPBwqIx2wJG98FgfKuVvkxpBm4XWsUPnJ4WCUjyM1NxHRfSh-EXPco1pdLaAfOl8VoM6sSXiXr7Pb5WRiXwht6PTtVfOoqQHLJASZlaQEpU2xDVn-sealq/s320/IMG00132-20110322-0842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88hvmL2reH2yPFh-nm7QnPPwBg-gWA6lWWTkCFtrp6ad51hZZYGyFg3HGU_cd6aqiCrBcqQReVVDuhyd1wSElJiqd_A2AmM_x0CwOSU2nD6kXVeh5D0-lv2fPV44GWvWaDjrk1pNCDJNE/s1600/IMG00133-20110322-0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88hvmL2reH2yPFh-nm7QnPPwBg-gWA6lWWTkCFtrp6ad51hZZYGyFg3HGU_cd6aqiCrBcqQReVVDuhyd1wSElJiqd_A2AmM_x0CwOSU2nD6kXVeh5D0-lv2fPV44GWvWaDjrk1pNCDJNE/s320/IMG00133-20110322-0842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>It definitely wasn't as bad as the Tiki-inspired guest bath, but I've never been in love with the striped shower curtain (especially after I accidentally dropped the toilet bowl cleaner last week and some splashed on it and bleached spots). We registered for it when we registered for wedding gifts for lack of anything better. I love the oiled bronze accessories, but I wasn't digging the curtain. I found one I loved at Bed Bath and Beyond. It wasn't quite the good deal that my <a href="http://beingelgin.blogspot.com/2010/09/bathroom-redesign-pt-2.html">Pottery Barn clearance curtain </a>was, but a 20% off coupon sweetened the deal a little.</div><div> </div><div>I found my paint color in the Restoration Hardware paint chip book. I'm not above finding expensive paint colors and taking them to my local Porter paint store and getting the color copied. In this case, it was R.H.'s Graphite.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wdQvmgmN1eXZIEOHoLdVjUqOhfBhCOCZaOvO_dmWEjTxcAg71nFw_KCu9MgAuQTrtKyOg9LFFDGSLAvslhVget-QGxTZdSTK7shmdE9M9aCUmlRpEqIYKeymrXdaSgtMOOAt_TFas7it/s1600/IMG00134-20110322-1651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wdQvmgmN1eXZIEOHoLdVjUqOhfBhCOCZaOvO_dmWEjTxcAg71nFw_KCu9MgAuQTrtKyOg9LFFDGSLAvslhVget-QGxTZdSTK7shmdE9M9aCUmlRpEqIYKeymrXdaSgtMOOAt_TFas7it/s320/IMG00134-20110322-1651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The lighting in the bathroom isn't great...which is another issue we have to work on (and might have to enlist the help of my husband's bff, <a href="http://quarryorchard.blogspot.com/">Dustin</a>).<br />
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I've hung the new shower curtain, and brought the other accessories back in. I plan on getting some frames for wall art tomorrow, and matching tp holder and towel bars at Target this weekend to finish it off. Nick's encouraging me to paint the mirrors and vanity black. I'd thought of doing that before I bought the shower curtain, and I think I still like that idea, so I'm thinking I'll be buying a bigger container of my cracked pepper paint this weekend as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYUUhubvy8cxeg4hOQloAjADInjCl0X7-aYQMjo4EAT5w_qSGzMMgjXKW2FaQxl9snIffnn8Odl_yEqwvBESB6x05vzxJWHWd6-NXiJK6-4XNsX1rBwJ2X_SGPFXB18OBROAyO17lazo_/s1600/IMG00136-20110322-1856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYUUhubvy8cxeg4hOQloAjADInjCl0X7-aYQMjo4EAT5w_qSGzMMgjXKW2FaQxl9snIffnn8Odl_yEqwvBESB6x05vzxJWHWd6-NXiJK6-4XNsX1rBwJ2X_SGPFXB18OBROAyO17lazo_/s320/IMG00136-20110322-1856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxRPikG9vhigg8XEEWCUGLlfyPeOB27ztIoe_SlAbxnKj5yRWQwGONF6V0TB4uop_vlGglZse4k5_vgkr86GxTmZDUXy1E4AnAOTMGsfgFjhPzLsjhaznqsFIBfEx10b80cvX0FWwRFwC/s1600/IMG00137-20110322-1857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxRPikG9vhigg8XEEWCUGLlfyPeOB27ztIoe_SlAbxnKj5yRWQwGONF6V0TB4uop_vlGglZse4k5_vgkr86GxTmZDUXy1E4AnAOTMGsfgFjhPzLsjhaznqsFIBfEx10b80cvX0FWwRFwC/s320/IMG00137-20110322-1857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm loving that I can reuse the accessories I already have. I'm also loving what came out of my flower bed today...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54BN4kC3A8-Piw5pjP0VOc_by-lrxVfuWoIVORt95DVvy8EWBWFaaLINANZjoyp1dnkZ1zQ1rxHUehrMq7x0bPaClV9M-B1lx8j7_vZY32AINrdkdrwhN81yN8NYVU6MbJedEG_3ih8b6/s1600/IMG00135-20110322-1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54BN4kC3A8-Piw5pjP0VOc_by-lrxVfuWoIVORt95DVvy8EWBWFaaLINANZjoyp1dnkZ1zQ1rxHUehrMq7x0bPaClV9M-B1lx8j7_vZY32AINrdkdrwhN81yN8NYVU6MbJedEG_3ih8b6/s320/IMG00135-20110322-1846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-75587475892299360612011-03-05T07:23:00.000-08:002011-03-05T07:29:56.271-08:00Be Careful What You Wish For...<div>is a lesson that I got a good reminder in recently. Earlier this week, southern Indiana had it's first somewhat vicious spring thunderstorm. At school later that day, I jokingly said that it wouldn't bother me if a few shingles got ripped off our roof so that I could get it replaced. My siding is beige, and my shutters and garage door are now black, but the roof is a brownish-red. I'm not in love with it by any long shot of imagination, especially now that the shutters and garage door are finished.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was getting ready for bed the night that I made that joke and looked up at the ceiling in the kitchen. Right next to the light fixture was a wet spot. Well crap. Then in my infinite wisdom, I got a chair and lightly poked the spot to see if it was wet, or if I had just missed that discolored spot for over a year (not likely). Next thing I knew, the discolored spot looked like this...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFLYt7k5LoF4BnWBTgJfTDVjqrDiyZ5TViU92Wpkj7U4dp0V2XLjQhcjFYjMvtQt5VxCoGUGwhua40RXPLfIscWUYnf6rWcgD41_eW0AtCdTp7lVjYHfRFLhs2VH4oKqP9JfIph6S3NIs/s1600/IMG00113-20110305-1006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFLYt7k5LoF4BnWBTgJfTDVjqrDiyZ5TViU92Wpkj7U4dp0V2XLjQhcjFYjMvtQt5VxCoGUGwhua40RXPLfIscWUYnf6rWcgD41_eW0AtCdTp7lVjYHfRFLhs2VH4oKqP9JfIph6S3NIs/s320/IMG00113-20110305-1006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fantastic! You'd think one of these days I'd learn to stop messing with things. So I had to call the roofer the next morning, and he very kindly accepted my 8 am phone call and came out the next day to check out the roof. It turns out the rubber boots around the bottom of the attic vents had dry-rotted completely off, which was the cause of the leak. There's also a couple of strips of edging that need to be put up, so that will be done next week. It wasn't as urgent as the rubber boots. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was a bit of a scare thinking that some of the tax return money that was going to go into the beach vacation fund might have had to be used to pay the insurance deductible for a new roof...although I won't lie...I already had the new shingles picked out in my head.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
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</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-57975616527419428552011-02-20T10:49:00.000-08:002011-02-20T10:49:35.826-08:00Party PrincessOne year ago, I was obsessively checking the website for Ke-Li's Golden Acres, knowing that there wouldn't be any new photos of the newest litter. There were 12 of them, all little balls of golden fur. We knew one of them was ours, but we didn't know which one. From February to April I checked the website 2 or 3 times a week for new photos, glad that I wasn't going to have to choose which adorable little face would be coming home with me. Although I did end up having to choose between Abby and a sister. On the day that my sister and I went to pick up my puppy, Abby was playful, and affectionate, and liked to give kisses. That was our puppy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ-32p66kWQQ57pmGh0DnFeGZUP64NgMCFWchnEnUO99zXzX1WcpzYmtRHfXEnqvvkB17SmDx6tOQJwnmf3hw8cDASuu4v6fzb1ds_6CvM3F-LUdBODOlyE0W3AdDqqUiVGZ0r1OVr6LR/s1600/me+and+abby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ-32p66kWQQ57pmGh0DnFeGZUP64NgMCFWchnEnUO99zXzX1WcpzYmtRHfXEnqvvkB17SmDx6tOQJwnmf3hw8cDASuu4v6fzb1ds_6CvM3F-LUdBODOlyE0W3AdDqqUiVGZ0r1OVr6LR/s320/me+and+abby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Over the past year, Abby has given us a lot of love, some headaches, and millions of kisses. She makes me laugh almost every day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1E4rKFHPz_4vjulqOZM8ZfwzoG4xZX2h8lr6Z-WF8iUiIz8McfF_RHCf3NMPOji5nBut-1sNPfl7h9Sktex4Y-E4f-7_D8XY4B7H8z6fYokqLFRTaajRa0E6EmFdUcZbtsf3tSuS2BUv/s1600/face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1E4rKFHPz_4vjulqOZM8ZfwzoG4xZX2h8lr6Z-WF8iUiIz8McfF_RHCf3NMPOji5nBut-1sNPfl7h9Sktex4Y-E4f-7_D8XY4B7H8z6fYokqLFRTaajRa0E6EmFdUcZbtsf3tSuS2BUv/s320/face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've watched her grow, and taught her tricks. We've learned what sort of treats she loves, that she is incredibly social, and likes to go visit people or have people come to visit her. She also enjoys trips to her vet, which might seem odd, but she gets lots of attention at the vet's office.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphyFM4g2wENGB6QpiTN5c3_MUpimqCyRTwtj4kmr16Z4ToRfnwSOkshsfjMKNKPyUY_ovEoe_YcTq6lFlUtdAX8H-63Nfq8c1HFWcDmTU7u4kp39PUivsj_njJpVb-nYXK9nXg2uYQbDf/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphyFM4g2wENGB6QpiTN5c3_MUpimqCyRTwtj4kmr16Z4ToRfnwSOkshsfjMKNKPyUY_ovEoe_YcTq6lFlUtdAX8H-63Nfq8c1HFWcDmTU7u4kp39PUivsj_njJpVb-nYXK9nXg2uYQbDf/s320/035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Abby loves to swim, be it in a big pool, or in her wading pool on the deck. She doesn't like the dark or heat, and she thinks snow is the best thing in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpk7ZciwmYEKpf45Y7xgV1cSF7ZcYgxsLsqEffT6mffoI-rnFSLsCyREle-LsMGjZPiLrPiyjTxn4Re6-VKnmzppHYEXySIKjZwJXl83XlVSxKcesL0r-1HCDjb2jrT7msqAqDnPWLet4d/s1600/DSC_0785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpk7ZciwmYEKpf45Y7xgV1cSF7ZcYgxsLsqEffT6mffoI-rnFSLsCyREle-LsMGjZPiLrPiyjTxn4Re6-VKnmzppHYEXySIKjZwJXl83XlVSxKcesL0r-1HCDjb2jrT7msqAqDnPWLet4d/s320/DSC_0785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>She adores peanut butter, chasing cats, and vanilla ice cream. When we go shopping, she knows there will almost always be something for her in one of the bags.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwYdmZHbqoIt5tG0w9uLgyV3TLyVy-wuNCsig2alI5ut9alKhT_luazGYGBTk4SQUKCyIPD97n7a_MrzQ_9e-3Hf6ygkZJcWzlymrIiRSq_UxG1wBda2oXQiueEbw5d176Gfk1pjbb1Rp/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwYdmZHbqoIt5tG0w9uLgyV3TLyVy-wuNCsig2alI5ut9alKhT_luazGYGBTk4SQUKCyIPD97n7a_MrzQ_9e-3Hf6ygkZJcWzlymrIiRSq_UxG1wBda2oXQiueEbw5d176Gfk1pjbb1Rp/s320/DSC_0641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've graduated basic and intermediate training classes, and Abby pouts on Sunday afternoons when we aren't loading up to go to class. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx2qVxggDk78IscH58iIyX2MzXAzFXUIasqjD_AwaBP3EM7ptHtQh0mPBbyv5qZ58hSKotqyBLkpQRxYhtroBt7ZfUhAwSDqOAWP1AaA19nZOZwcNcNL9L2UZKDSTheGrT1m0J95RjWi6/s1600/DSC_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx2qVxggDk78IscH58iIyX2MzXAzFXUIasqjD_AwaBP3EM7ptHtQh0mPBbyv5qZ58hSKotqyBLkpQRxYhtroBt7ZfUhAwSDqOAWP1AaA19nZOZwcNcNL9L2UZKDSTheGrT1m0J95RjWi6/s320/DSC_0695.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday our little puppy had her 1st birthday. She got her birthday treat from Moochie & Co. and a cake that sings "Happy Birthday". Nick found her hat on sale at Old Navy. We really don't make our dog wear hats all the time. And teaching her to sit with a treat in front of her as big a huge accomplishment. Abby's never met a treat she didn't like!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-26755653524303372522011-02-06T12:36:00.000-08:002011-02-09T03:23:27.545-08:00Cricut CardsI recently discovered that I can make greeting cards with my Cricut. It's really perfect because it's a quick little project and with teaching full time, and being a full time Masters student, my project time is limited until spring and summer breaks. I didn't think to take pictures of the processes, but I do have pics of the final products. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_72HoBgj9Sn8No_OTA4Q8D2vpDLJwjZtjEgHh9WS0dfhUmHjktleMex8wtQzApdrWl1e3kGCfyREErowlvqDDKhggqJ1RgRLc5rQKjfD7NAHs1fGVeS6kakVl_Ki-CLzKpl6Ful-gtCGj/s1600/thank+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_72HoBgj9Sn8No_OTA4Q8D2vpDLJwjZtjEgHh9WS0dfhUmHjktleMex8wtQzApdrWl1e3kGCfyREErowlvqDDKhggqJ1RgRLc5rQKjfD7NAHs1fGVeS6kakVl_Ki-CLzKpl6Ful-gtCGj/s320/thank+you.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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsisDoqiUkN1Z-nI2B-xDZt_YKFk1kpKM_Aj1H3OEbf9qLe0Hv_jQuHryFsNpIX1oLGoQ3YhCsLGxirqK4F-y0BtosUdWPHlHb4jHZM4XRuF9YPQxc35-2MLDUvw3-8MP5C3Lfp6Uk63uX/s1600/be+happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsisDoqiUkN1Z-nI2B-xDZt_YKFk1kpKM_Aj1H3OEbf9qLe0Hv_jQuHryFsNpIX1oLGoQ3YhCsLGxirqK4F-y0BtosUdWPHlHb4jHZM4XRuF9YPQxc35-2MLDUvw3-8MP5C3Lfp6Uk63uX/s320/be+happy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I also made this card for my cousin's birthday. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktrTqefrLPKk8N7i7eYsdl1Xjl8GbzWu_wUFGwLK5y9SKRCmQGKcH1HapiWjQaChS_N0igYSXmBKAd_XcQn0xbF9sokjE5LgsUgfkvJNoYk-Suu65NC2EMmVkrZ1VwhHNzUnQ7Yk7V526/s1600/bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktrTqefrLPKk8N7i7eYsdl1Xjl8GbzWu_wUFGwLK5y9SKRCmQGKcH1HapiWjQaChS_N0igYSXmBKAd_XcQn0xbF9sokjE5LgsUgfkvJNoYk-Suu65NC2EMmVkrZ1VwhHNzUnQ7Yk7V526/s320/bday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>I think my favorite part of making cards is that you can also make the envelopes to go with them. My cricut isn't big enough to do them, but luckily my co-worker has none that is bigger than mine and very kindly loaned it to me for cutting out envelopes. I did all mine in plain white but I jazzed one up for the birthday card.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTy7yGJuzQvRP92Cne5eFAhldSFaqoD1gT43l4JcFd4h7mCZgJwK2oGEhNax9L1xvSomh5yDayqotKdHZB0vq-8kRebBnOFdqe5ZzzDwXJui7WfjfiKASWSFoJYGosjOefziGetpstXyV/s1600/decorated+envelope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTy7yGJuzQvRP92Cne5eFAhldSFaqoD1gT43l4JcFd4h7mCZgJwK2oGEhNax9L1xvSomh5yDayqotKdHZB0vq-8kRebBnOFdqe5ZzzDwXJui7WfjfiKASWSFoJYGosjOefziGetpstXyV/s320/decorated+envelope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm loving this new hobby. Now I'm on the look-out for new cartidges to expand my card-making capabilities!<br />
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I am linking to...<br />
<div align="center">Inspiring Creativity @ <a href="http://twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/">Dragonfly Designs</a></div><div align="center">Make It Yours Day @ <a href="http://www.mybackyardeden.com/">My Backyard Eden</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-95201633530795622011-01-30T18:12:00.000-08:002011-01-30T18:12:38.597-08:00Something a Little DifferentLately, there hasn't been anything blog-worthy happening around the Elgin household. The only projects I've done consist of Powerpoint presentations for my Masters classes and projects for school. Needless to say, it's not been very eventful around here aside from having a sick puppy.<br />
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I did, however, get a couple of projects done today, once again, revolving around my job. I made a poster today for my sophomore classes who are preparing for their state graduation exam. During their writing, it helps to have an idea in mind of exactly whom they are gearing their writing to. After holding a "Test Lady Pageant" this was our winner...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h72kwWp0Cn6JRxzAKq3_rG53VQnzV2o2vojYcqg14HQdlOvYHJLExjG4abIuuJV3NO9oapK680ow1dq4vyNfHxu6Fl24Qb2og2YEj19ERpZ_06-0_nFHUGLADJPeaSH1x2BbG2Jdll7v/s1600/medusa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h72kwWp0Cn6JRxzAKq3_rG53VQnzV2o2vojYcqg14HQdlOvYHJLExjG4abIuuJV3NO9oapK680ow1dq4vyNfHxu6Fl24Qb2og2YEj19ERpZ_06-0_nFHUGLADJPeaSH1x2BbG2Jdll7v/s320/medusa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They named their test lady Medusa Doonesbury Hotcakes. I don't really know where they name came from...I didn't ask.<br />
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While I was working with the Cricut, I decided to try my hand at making a card with one of the new program I got for Christmas. I think it turned out pretty cute.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix621EeSLde9uXdRG7pOag7fupnnjkgDujr2vAixe8ydHtLfi-DgeZgsMJm_qhre1bDCRvz7pqe03h1jEGsHWjDCpFp1lklTZpWGkp7ruNQgpvaULxf9qNwkoQj3OG-EjgPKZcsblcOMWd/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix621EeSLde9uXdRG7pOag7fupnnjkgDujr2vAixe8ydHtLfi-DgeZgsMJm_qhre1bDCRvz7pqe03h1jEGsHWjDCpFp1lklTZpWGkp7ruNQgpvaULxf9qNwkoQj3OG-EjgPKZcsblcOMWd/s320/card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I could make an envelope to go with it, but that requires a Cricut that uses 12x12 paper, and mine only uses 6x12. So, I'm either going to have to use a friends and make a bunch of envelopes, or figure out a way to sell my Cricut and use the money to get a bigger one. I think I'll go with the first option.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5136935166629974349.post-4149514360549918372011-01-09T07:21:00.000-08:002011-01-12T16:58:00.414-08:00Inspirational Word PicturesThere's a local store I love. It's a gifty type store that has a little bit of everything. There's some furniture, some Willow Tree figurines, sections devoted to Vera Bradley and Yankee Candles, but most of it is home decor. The last couple of times I've been in that store I've seen these little pictures. They were in small, black, square frames. The background looked like newsprint and there were words like: faith, hope, dream, imagine, believe on them. They were super cute, but they were about $12 each. I REALLY wanted to buy them, but I couldn't bring myself to pay that much for something I could make...(so I bought Christmas decorations instead...shhh...).<br />
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On my recent trip to Dee's crafts, I also found some plain, unpainted wooden frames. They're a little bigger than the ones from the gift store, but they work. So I went back to my trusty sample pot of Cracked Pepper paint and gave them a couple of coats...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-qY-aiowirrcvlQuTOGvtzyGO12nwZ3lCqDxtWa8eHIhmNhK3w1AfO60pVynqqjUPVPfyvVYnbBpuXeUBxwr0sZHlamzM0cAAhHNNrFetUJ7SZhmsJ86VQqs8HpcH_Cizia26eZ6YSRo/s1600/DSC_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-qY-aiowirrcvlQuTOGvtzyGO12nwZ3lCqDxtWa8eHIhmNhK3w1AfO60pVynqqjUPVPfyvVYnbBpuXeUBxwr0sZHlamzM0cAAhHNNrFetUJ7SZhmsJ86VQqs8HpcH_Cizia26eZ6YSRo/s320/DSC_0546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Finding the newsprint background was a little tricky. I couldn't find any actual newsprint that worked right, and Dee's didn't have newsprint scrapbook paper. Luckily I had some in my vast collection that looked like french classified ads, so I went with that and cut it down to size.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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Then it was back to the cricut to cut out the words out of black scrapbook paper and glued them onto the backing.<br />
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I had planned to put the pages back in the frames, and be done with it, but they slid around and looked crooked, so it was back to the Mod Podge for some preventative gluing.<br />
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It was a little trickier to get these pages to stick to the backing of the frames than I expected. It took quite a bit of Mod Podge, but I finally got all three glued and put into the frames...<br />
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I don't know where I'm going to put them yet, so right now they're decorating the bookcase in the office. But I'm happy with the way they turned out. I did all three for less than the price of one at the store, which is a much better bargain!<br />
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<div align="center">Lucky Linky Tuesday @ <a href="http://www.luckystarlane.com/">Lucky Star Lane</a></div><div align="center">Toot Your Own Horn Tuesday @ <a href="http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/">Silly Little Sparrow</a></div><div align="center">Make It Yours Day @ <a href="http://www.mybackyardeden.com/">My Backyard Eden</a><br />
Inspiring Creativity @ <a href="http://twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/">Dragonfly Designs</a></div><div align="center">Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ <a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/">Somewhat Simple</a></div><div align="center">A Crafty Soiree @ <a href="http://www.yesterdayontuesday.typepad.com/">Yesterday on Tuesday</a></div><div align="center">Passion for Paint @ <a href="http://muralmaker1.blogspot.com/">Mural Maker & More</a></div><div align="center"> Sunday Showcase @ <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/">Under the Table and Dreaming</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just Something I Whipped Up @ <a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/">The Girl Creative</a></div><div align="center">Motivate Me Monday @ <a href="http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/">Keeping It Simple</a></div><div align="center">Make It 4 Monday @ <a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/">Cottage Instincts</a><br />
All About You Monday @ <a href="http://texasmonkey.blogspot.com/">Texas Monkey </a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/194/34B473AA94F4AB2053D01137C5FF95C4.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279598205075689345noreply@blogger.com3