tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16682698266743573392024-03-12T17:40:16.692-06:00Mile High MomThe adventures of a simplifying, DIYing mom!Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-45577079337684662082013-03-06T23:28:00.000-07:002013-03-06T23:28:07.723-07:00I'm here y'all.....with updates!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I'm still here. I've actually been incredibly busy lately, and blogging has, obviously, been put on the back burner. I'll try to give a quick update on everything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Our most recent trial has been the last three days, with Gavin. I noticed last Thursday when I was changing him that he wouldn't let me bend his left leg. I didn't think much of it, but it continued through the weekend. On Monday morning I called the doctor and made an appointment for him. Going in, I wasn't overly concerned. Once we got there, they wanted to do a throat culture, (because, of course, Jackson got strep throat that day too) blood work, and X-Rays. Apparently hip problems in kids can be really serious. The X-rays came back fine, but some of the blood work didn't. She called me the next morning and told me to take him to the pediatric ER to get more tests and an ultrasound done. I spent all day with him at that hospital. They were taking blood and pinning him down and didn't let him eat or drink for hours on end. It was heartbreaking. The doctor left us saying that she was baffled as to why he wouldn't bend his leg. And the blood work came back totally fine. Even though his numbers were very elevated the day before. She told us to go to an ortho doctor today. So we did. It turns out, he thinks he has some scar tissue on his thigh muscle from his shots 5 weeks ago, and that's making his leg stiff. We are hoping that this is actually what's going on, and we are going to go back in two weeks to follow up. I'm still unsure why he had inconsistent blood work, but I'll ask his primary care physician in the morning. I feel so bad for making him go through all of that for nothing. But apparently it needed to be done to rule out any thoughts of septic arthritis and other really bad things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The other thing keeping me busy is good news! I've gotten back into making my silver jewelry pieces and have been busy fulfilling orders. I had a craft show this past weekend in Decatur and it was very successful! My newest creations are taking handwriting, signatures, or hand drawn pictures and turning them into jewelry pieces. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQn1Uoc0nsM/UTgvEPlJqvI/AAAAAAAABho/7-ZyWbxXfl8/s1600/830288_10152567457395533_2142603079_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQn1Uoc0nsM/UTgvEPlJqvI/AAAAAAAABho/7-ZyWbxXfl8/s400/830288_10152567457395533_2142603079_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is my grandmother's signature from her bible.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BS_sGE-tw_I/UTgvOahoHjI/AAAAAAAABh8/7j2xhakLHkI/s1600/860543_10152571165420533_609928672_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BS_sGE-tw_I/UTgvOahoHjI/AAAAAAAABh8/7j2xhakLHkI/s400/860543_10152571165420533_609928672_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Jackson's signature</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixBsaYc8T5Y/UTgvHLOe8GI/AAAAAAAABh0/rmKnk9gJEz0/s1600/860531_10152571168675533_2015423976_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixBsaYc8T5Y/UTgvHLOe8GI/AAAAAAAABh0/rmKnk9gJEz0/s400/860531_10152571168675533_2015423976_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a picture Jackson drew of me, that I made into a bracelet. (striking resemblance, right?)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_SoUltEl2k/UTgvEM4yLcI/AAAAAAAABhk/oSLgRkZKnVE/s1600/704526_10152562952500533_1998657359_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_SoUltEl2k/UTgvEM4yLcI/AAAAAAAABhk/oSLgRkZKnVE/s400/704526_10152562952500533_1998657359_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And finally, if you are local, I can make fingerprint charms.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm loving making this jewelry, and I especially love that it's so sentimental for so many people. Some people even cried at my booth this weekend, at the thought of having something so sentimental of their own. I have an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mibestboutique" target="_blank">etsy site</a> and I started a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mi-Best-Boutique/273875439411772?ref=hl" target="_blank"> facebook page</a> too, if you are interested in seeing my other jewelry, placing an order, or just following what I'm doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We are still adjusting to Alabama life and finding our way around. The weather is still cold and rainy, but I'm making some great new friends. (I mean, really great. Not sure how I got so lucky to find them so quickly) The kids are good, when they aren't sick. It took Gavin 18 months, but he is finally a walker. And Jackson has really matured lately. He's a completely different boy than he was 6 months ago. (Well, maybe not <i>completely</i> different. He still tells the best stories ever. He's just much more mature.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So I'm here. And I'm still reading your blogs. And I'll try to get better about writing in my own!</span></div>
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<br />Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-39081427498905148172012-12-10T10:52:00.001-07:002012-12-10T10:52:44.533-07:00Not Dead<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I'm not dead you guys. I had no intention of waiting three months to post again, but life has been completely insane around here, and I haven't been able to form coherent sentences, let alone write them down for the world to see. So, if there's anybody left out there reading this, (hi Mom!) I'm still here. And I'll give you an update. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">On September 30, we packed a Uhaul filled with our most prized possessions. Then we looked around our house and realized that the other half of our prized possessions were still not packed. So we got ANOTHER Uhaul and packed that one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was stressful and sad and it sucked and it's not something I ever want to do again. We loaded our cars on the trailers and towed them with the Uhauls. With two Uhauls towing two cars, two kids, two dogs and three adults (my mom made the drive with us) we made the 1300 mile trek to Alabama. I'm not sure I've ever been as tired as I was those several days of packing, driving, then unpacking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We've been here for over two months now, and in that two months we've gone on a weekend trip to Ohio for homecoming, and we made a 12 day trip back to Colorado. We had a ski trip planned before we knew we were going to move and really wanted to still go. Plus we had some unfinished business in Colorado that we needed to attend to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So we are here, but have been doing so much that we aren't really here, if that makes sense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> We are almost completely moved into our new home. It still needs a lot of decorating. It's big and has a huge yard. Eric hates the amount of leaves he has to get rid of, and has already completely changed his mind about "living in the woods". Jackson is in a new school, and he is liking it. We decided to put him in the older threes class (even though he's four) and wait to send him to kindergarten, but that's a whole other blog post. Gavin is still happy Gavin. And I'm surviving. I'm honestly trying to not give it too much though on "if I like it here". Moving again isn't an option at this point, so I'm just trying to live my life and make new friends and I'll decide later if I like it or not. I'm busy with the boys and turning our new house into a home and that consumes most of my time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There are a few surprises that I've found here: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">*It's not as warm here as I thought it would be. There are more warm days than in Colorado, for sure, but it can also get into the 20's at night. (I know, I know....just wait til summer comes around)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">*I need to get over waiting in long lines at a store for the cashier to finish their conversation with the customer in front of me. It's just what they do here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">*I thought I'd stick out like a sore thumb with my non-Southern-Yankee-accent, but that's not the case. Not everyone talks with a Southern accent here. In fact, I'd say only about half the people I talk to have an accent. I guess this is a pretty transient area, and lots of people that live here aren't from here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">*It's definitely not what I pictured when I pictured Alabama. It's just a regular town. It reminds me of almost every town in Ohio, really. (I've also been told that it's that way <i>here</i>, but if you venture too far out of Huntsville, you'll definitely get a good helping of stereotypical "Alabama".)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*Roll Tide! (It's the only way to survive around here.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm going to try to get back on the blogging ball. Maybe even post some new tutorials soon!</span> Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-21886400915129604842012-08-29T08:59:00.000-06:002012-08-29T08:59:01.533-06:00Bitter-sweet Home Alabama<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but we are moving to Huntsville, Alabama. Let me back up a little. A few weeks ago, my husband got an email from an old college professor about a job in Huntsville, essentially, working for NASA. (It's a subcontractor for NASA, but he would work inside NASA) He jokingly asked me if I wanted to move to Alabama. I said no, but I would consider it if it were the right opportunity. We decided he should apply, and just see what happens. Well, it happens that they loved him. He got a phone interview almost immediately, followed by a job offer. He told them that there was no way he could accept the job without us visiting first, so last weekend they flew us out to Alabama. His mom just happened to be visiting us from Ohio, so we were actually able to go and leave the kids in Colorado. We went there and did lots of looking around, thinking and talking. We decided it might work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are still back and forth over if it was the right decision, but the decision has been made. On Monday, he accepted the new job and resigned from his current job. We found a rental house when we were out there, and are planning on renting out our current home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are so sad, happy, nervous, excited and every other emotion out there. We are excited about living in a less costly city and being only about 8 hours drive from family and friends in Ohio. Eric is excited about the new job. We are excited about actually having a yard for the kids to play in, and about the possibility of meeting new people. We are so sad about leaving our friends here and leaving Jackson's school. (Sorry Alabama, but you don't exactly have a good reputation for awesome schools) I absolutely LOVE the gym I work at and go to, and feel like it's going to be really hard to replace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've gotta say, I was rather surprised at how normal Huntsville is. It's just a regular city with regular people and places. I was picturing something a little more "country", but that's not the case. I've found that Huntsville is like a hub for everything aerospace. NASA is there, as well as just about every other aerospace company in existence. Have you ever been to Hershey, Pennsylvania? It's kind of like that, but with rockets. The streets are named after space stuff, the malls have a space theme as well as the airport, and it's where they have space camp! (it was a dream of mine as a kid to go to space camp!) We are really excited to take the boys to the space museum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This isn't going to be easy for us. We have one more month here in Colorado before we make the move October 1. We love it here and hope we are making the right choice. </span></span>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-76248352745573456992012-08-10T11:26:00.000-06:002012-08-10T11:27:14.533-06:00Gavin is one!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't believe my baby is one already. This year has absolutely flown by. I feel so lucky to have such an amazing baby. He's so laid back and easy. He finally learned to crawl a week before his birthday and now he is all over the place. He is sleeping great, usually on his belly with his little butt in the air. It's so cute! And he eats everything in sight, even though he still only has three teeth. This last week he FINALLY learned to drink from a sippy cup, and we weaned him off formula to milk. (Hallelujah! No more formula!) He is absolutely<i> in love</i> with his older brother. He wants to do whatever he does and be wherever he is. Jackson can make him laugh harder than anyone. (He's my go to photography assistant when I need a smiling picture from Gavin) Gavin is definitely a "people" person. He can just sit and watch and interact with people all day. He doesn't really care about toys or tv. He will stare at a random stranger until they talk to him, then he laughs and claps! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He turned one when the Olympics started, so it seemed only fitting to have an Olympics party for him! To get ready for it, we had a photo shoot with Gavin doing various Olympic sports. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phjPOpxf__c/UCU_yC1ecOI/AAAAAAAABeE/6p-glniIM1o/s1600/IMG_7594_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phjPOpxf__c/UCU_yC1ecOI/AAAAAAAABeE/6p-glniIM1o/s320/IMG_7594_1.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igFL4aGGm8U/UCU_1Uq7w0I/AAAAAAAABeQ/3mWOQxVUjgo/s1600/IMG_7612_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igFL4aGGm8U/UCU_1Uq7w0I/AAAAAAAABeQ/3mWOQxVUjgo/s320/IMG_7612_1.jpg" width="227" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bK-6NDvzi34/UCU_54Fxz7I/AAAAAAAABeY/cBs7m5sx3Rw/s1600/IMG_7622_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bK-6NDvzi34/UCU_54Fxz7I/AAAAAAAABeY/cBs7m5sx3Rw/s320/IMG_7622_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TmhlZCyRnI/UCU_8921NdI/AAAAAAAABeg/PZA-ObOeJ_8/s1600/IMG_7634_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TmhlZCyRnI/UCU_8921NdI/AAAAAAAABeg/PZA-ObOeJ_8/s320/IMG_7634_1.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g0-DsUyGBzw/UCVAGHDhD_I/AAAAAAAABfE/2F_dKoZkZVU/s1600/IMG_7704_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g0-DsUyGBzw/UCVAGHDhD_I/AAAAAAAABfE/2F_dKoZkZVU/s320/IMG_7704_1.jpg" width="228" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SExGG8-79tU/UCVAIQh98LI/AAAAAAAABfQ/QEFjbPEEsjA/s1600/IMG_7714_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SExGG8-79tU/UCVAIQh98LI/AAAAAAAABfQ/QEFjbPEEsjA/s320/IMG_7714_1.jpg" width="227" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rygdpqLXCzo/UCVAK5yeX1I/AAAAAAAABfY/g6Puw8EMz5o/s1600/IMG_7731-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rygdpqLXCzo/UCVAK5yeX1I/AAAAAAAABfY/g6Puw8EMz5o/s320/IMG_7731-001.JPG" width="227" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I made this video invitation with the pictures</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tCQsUWFvLFU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the party, I had had some of the pictures blown up and put the posters up around the house. (It's only $4 at Staples! The quality isn't awesome, but good enough)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eqXQaqSubM/UCU5Sb55XjI/AAAAAAAABa0/8ee6kqmDKio/s1600/IMG_7879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eqXQaqSubM/UCU5Sb55XjI/AAAAAAAABa0/8ee6kqmDKio/s400/IMG_7879.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made some paper chains out of construction paper I already had around the house to represent the Olympic rings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WatwxrEys8Y/UCU50y3WDwI/AAAAAAAABbE/jwyEwlN7oWk/s1600/IMG_7881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WatwxrEys8Y/UCU50y3WDwI/AAAAAAAABbE/jwyEwlN7oWk/s400/IMG_7881.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For party favors, I made mason jar sippy cups. My husband drilled holes in the tops and we put in rubber grommets. I added crazy straws and used these American flag sweatbands to finish it off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPT3q-jrGQ0/UCU56lzucoI/AAAAAAAABbQ/DQYtBcZzxhE/s1600/IMG_7884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPT3q-jrGQ0/UCU56lzucoI/AAAAAAAABbQ/DQYtBcZzxhE/s400/IMG_7884.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the cake, I baked 5 8 inch rounds, then cut the middles out and pieced it together to make the rings. I used the middles to make Gavin's little smash cake. To ice it, I just used a star tip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VEuTRJ_pac/UCU6ADKzpCI/AAAAAAAABbY/P7WoERvCKKI/s1600/IMG_7886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VEuTRJ_pac/UCU6ADKzpCI/AAAAAAAABbY/P7WoERvCKKI/s400/IMG_7886.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a photo booth. My husband made the podium and I painted it. I found this finish line backdrop at Ikea. (It's actually a twin sized duvet cover.) I had different props for the kids to pose with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2uUrsP0wcI/UCU6Op7vtmI/AAAAAAAABbk/DdTRRIs7F-0/s1600/IMG_7888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2uUrsP0wcI/UCU6Op7vtmI/AAAAAAAABbk/DdTRRIs7F-0/s400/IMG_7888.JPG" width="286" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HebGbj5n8LI/UCU637kpk5I/AAAAAAAABcE/KvqGHVhntUQ/s1600/IMG_7899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HebGbj5n8LI/UCU637kpk5I/AAAAAAAABcE/KvqGHVhntUQ/s400/IMG_7899.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwQFx_5ubso/UCU7BJYuaWI/AAAAAAAABcQ/pI61cOjGszU/s1600/IMG_7930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwQFx_5ubso/UCU7BJYuaWI/AAAAAAAABcQ/pI61cOjGszU/s400/IMG_7930.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blowing out his candle.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LbExNNLOiRI/UCU7JbnKp8I/AAAAAAAABcY/CltsO3_g5yU/s1600/IMG_7934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LbExNNLOiRI/UCU7JbnKp8I/AAAAAAAABcY/CltsO3_g5yU/s400/IMG_7934.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He had never had anything so sweet before and wasn't sure about it at first. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmqYuag8U90/UCU7Nf8MpiI/AAAAAAAABcg/TRVZQf5td8c/s1600/IMG_7935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmqYuag8U90/UCU7Nf8MpiI/AAAAAAAABcg/TRVZQf5td8c/s400/IMG_7935.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOcivoAqmdc/UCU7S-v0xII/AAAAAAAABcs/PrNxio-1aBo/s1600/IMG_7936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOcivoAqmdc/UCU7S-v0xII/AAAAAAAABcs/PrNxio-1aBo/s400/IMG_7936.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But he ended up getting into it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGBrIthByOk/UCU7YJysSyI/AAAAAAAABc0/WonNixKBP-Y/s1600/IMG_7937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGBrIthByOk/UCU7YJysSyI/AAAAAAAABc0/WonNixKBP-Y/s400/IMG_7937.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-efMHTkfDiu8/UCU7dis-f0I/AAAAAAAABdA/yPE2vbXoAtU/s1600/IMG_7942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-efMHTkfDiu8/UCU7dis-f0I/AAAAAAAABdA/yPE2vbXoAtU/s400/IMG_7942.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwHP7IdRlSY/UCU7jPYTIeI/AAAAAAAABdI/RJJQ9FwVVb4/s1600/IMG_7950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwHP7IdRlSY/UCU7jPYTIeI/AAAAAAAABdI/RJJQ9FwVVb4/s400/IMG_7950.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love cake now!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was so great to have so many of our friends come and celebrate the big day with us. Happy birthday sweet boy!</span></span>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-9998043165334128942012-07-19T14:10:00.000-06:002012-07-19T14:10:08.252-06:00Jackson's 4th birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPSJ3ajZMsQ/UAhdSdpm_WI/AAAAAAAABY8/z2zYCJpuWE0/s1600/IMG_7342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow! It's been a while. I went on vacation for almost 2 months. It
was great. I saw lots of family and friends, celebrated my
brother-in-law's wedding, and ended the trip in Mexico with my husband.
Three days after we got back home was Jackson's 4th birthday. I wanted
to keep it pretty simple and not at home, since I knew the house was
going to be a disaster from A) not being there for two months and B)
unpacking from a two month trip. So we went camping with friends. It
was at a state park about 20 minutes from our house. We didn't want to
go too far away, in case a kiddo couldn't make it all night long, it
would be easy to just go home. I'm happy to say, though, that we all
made it all night. There were 6 toddlers, 3 babies, and 10 adults that
actually camped over night, as well as a few families that just came for
the party, then went home. It was a great weekend. The weather held out and the kids were great!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10FCFAs08NU/UAhdvfSHPNI/AAAAAAAABZQ/8TH8P7DR_00/s1600/IMG_7344.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10FCFAs08NU/UAhdvfSHPNI/AAAAAAAABZQ/8TH8P7DR_00/s400/IMG_7344.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Campfire Cupcakes</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46r3zQJ__TQ/UAhdhL_Cn7I/AAAAAAAABZE/7WW7bKHCUUw/s1600/IMG_7390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46r3zQJ__TQ/UAhdhL_Cn7I/AAAAAAAABZE/7WW7bKHCUUw/s400/IMG_7390.JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">+ </span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Complete with actual fire!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvnW8V7ZBhg/UAhd0GLC20I/AAAAAAAABZY/gptuO_5qAXY/s1600/IMG_7346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvnW8V7ZBhg/UAhd0GLC20I/AAAAAAAABZY/gptuO_5qAXY/s400/IMG_7346.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bug catcher mason jars</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPSJ3ajZMsQ/UAhdSdpm_WI/AAAAAAAABY8/z2zYCJpuWE0/s1600/IMG_7342.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPSJ3ajZMsQ/UAhdSdpm_WI/AAAAAAAABY8/z2zYCJpuWE0/s400/IMG_7342.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Make your own trail mix station</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lilOK7_WJ0/UAhd5ftwMzI/AAAAAAAABZg/gFg5HJGiXi8/s1600/IMG_7347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lilOK7_WJ0/UAhd5ftwMzI/AAAAAAAABZg/gFg5HJGiXi8/s400/IMG_7347.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Camp Jackson" t shirts for all of the happy campers</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29cNRVCY7Lw/UAheNF7FOcI/AAAAAAAABZ0/tUyr-vUhNtU/s1600/IMG_7388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29cNRVCY7Lw/UAheNF7FOcI/AAAAAAAABZ0/tUyr-vUhNtU/s400/IMG_7388.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blowing out his candle</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZQYHUbdvqw/UAhea7iqZqI/AAAAAAAABZ8/XZ-RVw9k_HY/s1600/IMG_7445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZQYHUbdvqw/UAhea7iqZqI/AAAAAAAABZ8/XZ-RVw9k_HY/s400/IMG_7445.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Catching bugs with our bug catchers</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EpWFapwWPwM/UAheemCqzyI/AAAAAAAABaE/C-7TaFqdkSQ/s1600/IMG_7448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EpWFapwWPwM/UAheemCqzyI/AAAAAAAABaE/C-7TaFqdkSQ/s400/IMG_7448.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He loves his bug SO MUCH!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FAsPxahqVY/UAhfyiM7ENI/AAAAAAAABaY/l-VBJcnHHF0/s1600/IMG_7414.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FAsPxahqVY/UAhfyiM7ENI/AAAAAAAABaY/l-VBJcnHHF0/s400/IMG_7414.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">His buddies and their "Camp Jackson" tshirts</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bo1suDz98yY/UAhekgsYHxI/AAAAAAAABaQ/_Ogl9mReaIE/s1600/IMG_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bo1suDz98yY/UAhekgsYHxI/AAAAAAAABaQ/_Ogl9mReaIE/s400/IMG_7464.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fishing the next morning</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had such a fun time! And in a little over a week this guy turns one. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAYPdzUbXas/UAhmiEi2DzI/AAAAAAAABao/ESbWqf7O8Vs/s1600/IMG_7648_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAYPdzUbXas/UAhmiEi2DzI/AAAAAAAABao/ESbWqf7O8Vs/s320/IMG_7648_1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't believe it! I'm in full on party planning mode for his big day. Here's a little sneak peek at his party.....</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tCQsUWFvLFU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-27247381279957377762012-04-30T18:08:00.000-06:002012-04-30T18:08:13.917-06:00Stop being a perfectionist and just do it already!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I should be packing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I wanted to share a realization I had recently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel like I keep my act together pretty good in most areas of my life. I think I do a good job as a mom. When I work, I'm pretty good at that. I manage to make and keep friends easily. But here's where I fall short. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I suck at keeping my house up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't suck at every aspect of house keeping. I can organize like nobody's business. (Remember my <a href="http://bestmilehighmom.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-love-affair-with-label-maker.html" target="_blank">shoe closet, spices and linen closet</a>?) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm such a perfectionist, that it actually makes my house dirtier. That might not make sense, but I'll try to explain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I can't do it perfectly, I won't do it at all. And with my life the way it is, I have very little time to do anything perfectly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My realization came when I was putting a clean load of clothes in the dryer for probably the sixth time. I was ready to tackle the dirty laundry mountain in the loft, but couldn't because there were clean, but wrinkled clothes in the dryer. What normally happens is, I'll be ready to do laundry, but I'll have a
load that needs folded in the dryer. So I'll turn the dryer on to unwrinkle them, with
every intention of coming back 20 minutes later to fold them. Then life
happens, and before I know it it's hours later and I have to refluff
the clothes again before I can fold them and put them away. Turn the dryer on, life happens, it's tomorrow. And I never
get to the mountain of laundry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got so mad at myself and thought "Oh my God. Just put them away already!!" So, I folded and hung wrinkled clothes, and put them away in the closet. Without the distraction of finding something else to do while the dryer fluffed my clean clothes, I was able to tackle several loads of laundry that day. And I honestly don't even know which clothes were in that load anymore. Obviously they weren't <i>that </i>wrinkled! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've actually been keeping up with the laundry better with this new "stop-being-a-perfectionist-and-just-do-it-already" theory. It's funny how being okay with being a little messy has led to it actually being much cleaner! This is definitely something I'm going to try to transfer to all aspects of house cleaning. I don't have to make the kitchen sparkle, JUST LOAD THE DISHWASHER!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now I'm leaving for weeks on end, with no housework to do while I'm gone (except for some laundry and just picking up the few things we will bring with us). But hopefully I can instill this in some other aspects on the trip. Like, maybe, exercising. I find myself thinking "I won't have access to my gym while I'm gone. I guess I just won't work out for six weeks". Where as the non-perfectionist Michele would think "I don't have to run a marathon, just go for a quick jog." I really really hate running though....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZJs3HRKdVE/T58jrk_OZ8I/AAAAAAAABYw/AT3gpGXoAOg/s1600/running.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZJs3HRKdVE/T58jrk_OZ8I/AAAAAAAABYw/AT3gpGXoAOg/s400/running.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I got this picture on </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/72128031501620122/" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, btw</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">P.S. I'll be chronicling our adventure on instragram. If you want to follow me my user name is milehighmom</span></span>.Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-72516843420664423202012-04-24T06:00:00.002-06:002012-04-24T09:34:56.877-06:00Traveling Toiletries<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pW8bvee4Vw4/T5XxpS38SPI/AAAAAAAABYg/F0jKdbjaO_U/s1600/IMG_7069.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pW8bvee4Vw4/T5XxpS38SPI/AAAAAAAABYg/F0jKdbjaO_U/s400/IMG_7069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been busy. And tired. Mostly tired. Most days I wonder if there will ever come a time when I won't be tired. I'm tired from the time I'm woken up every morning, until about 9:00 p.m. From around 9:00 - midnight, I have tons of energy and am wide awake. (Truthfully, my energy could easily go until about 2:00 a.m., but I force myself to go to bed by midnight most nights) That's how I've always been. I'm a night owl. And I pay for it every day. The good thing about having energy at night is that everyone is sleeping and I can get stuff done. Stuff that I absolutely cannot get done during the day. Like crafting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm leaving for a very long trip next week. Like, six weeks long. To summarize, my brother-in-law is getting married and we are all in the wedding. In Ohio. So, instead of going back and forth for the various festivities, with the boys in tow, we decided it would be better to just go and stay the whole time. We will also be visiting family in Connecticut while we are there. (I realize Connecticut and Ohio are no where near each other, but they are closer than Connecticut and Colorado, so....) And, as if I weren't gone long enough, Eric and I will be going to Mexico for a week after the wedding. We don't often get the opportunity to go anywhere without the kids, so we are taking advantage of us being in the same state as grandparents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you hadn't heard, I'm <i>kind of</i> a control freak. So the thought of being away from my own space for that long, with a three year old and nine month old, makes me <strike>neurotic</strike> a little uneasy. So, I'm coping the best way I know how. By organizing and preparing. And of course crafting things to help keep me organized and prepared! Thank goodness we are driving. There is NO WAY I could take everything we need for 6 weeks (6 weeks in various places, with varying weather) if I were limited to one checked bag and one carry on per person. I'm going to do my best to limit what we bring though. And keep things organized. Including my toiletries. It all started with this bag:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEya23ee4Os/T5Xxf6gxD3I/AAAAAAAABXo/By5XcumiCKU/s1600/IMG_7055.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEya23ee4Os/T5Xxf6gxD3I/AAAAAAAABXo/By5XcumiCKU/s400/IMG_7055.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got it on clearance for $6 at Michael's. It's a craft bag, but when I saw it, I saw a toiletry bag. Which was, of course, followed by going on Pinterest and finding tutorials for cosmetic bags to put in it. (Bags inside bags. I know....I can't help it.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I won't give you a tutorial for every one of these, just the links I used and any little tips I have. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8DVxEGwZDc/T5XxZyVNlyI/AAAAAAAABXI/ek3IJCYI7II/s1600/IMG_7050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8DVxEGwZDc/T5XxZyVNlyI/AAAAAAAABXI/ek3IJCYI7II/s400/IMG_7050.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the first one I did. It's cute, but be warned, it's very small. I'll probably put my random medicine and stuff in here. I made three different sizes of these, and I used two different tutorials to help me. <a href="http://hiccupps-stuff.blogspot.com/search/label/cosmetic%20bag" target="_blank">Here</a> and <a href="http://sewlikemymom.com/cosmetic-bag-tutorial/" target="_blank">here</a>. It's not that complicated, but I thought neither of the tutorials seemed to explain it in a way that was abundantly clear to me. I was able to figure it out by reading both of them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8DVxEGwZDc/T5XxZyVNlyI/AAAAAAAABXI/ek3IJCYI7II/s1600/IMG_7050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqUbNhCdLek/T5Xxco69hxI/AAAAAAAABXY/P1eKOAdp72E/s1600/IMG_7053.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqUbNhCdLek/T5Xxco69hxI/AAAAAAAABXY/P1eKOAdp72E/s400/IMG_7053.JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the medium sized version </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AImzOl8IK0M/T5XxbeY695I/AAAAAAAABXQ/7mVzQ-lUVfo/s1600/IMG_7051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AImzOl8IK0M/T5XxbeY695I/AAAAAAAABXQ/7mVzQ-lUVfo/s400/IMG_7051.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the large version. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't use vinyl on the insides. It looked like a pain to sew in, and I figure if it gets dirty, I'll just wash it. Also, in that first tutorial, she says to just pinch the corners, pin and sew them to get the box shape. That's fine with the small one, but if you don't measure like she explains in the second tutorial, on the bigger bags, you'll end up with a wonky bag. I almost threw this one away it was so bad, then I cut all of the corners and started again. It's very tall, but at least I didn't have to throw it away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v1ERiqsV-T0/T5XxefO_LCI/AAAAAAAABXg/n9E6rm1PmIY/s1600/IMG_7054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v1ERiqsV-T0/T5XxefO_LCI/AAAAAAAABXg/n9E6rm1PmIY/s400/IMG_7054.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made this gathered clutch using <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/04/gathered-clutch-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>. I thought the tutorial was very clear and easy to follow. It's a little smaller than the directions say, because that was the only size zipper I had on hand. I wish it were a little bigger, actually. But it does fit all of my make up in it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-279meB6fJBI/T5Xxi5cDKFI/AAAAAAAABX4/05UozQpW51E/s1600/IMG_7059.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-279meB6fJBI/T5Xxi5cDKFI/AAAAAAAABX4/05UozQpW51E/s400/IMG_7059.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This makeup brush holder is my favorite thing I made! It was probably one of the easier ones too! I got the tutorial <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/04/diy-makeup-brush-holder/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+centsationalgirl%2FcHAf+%28Centsational+Girl%29" target="_blank">here</a>, and I actually used the same fabric as her, but I swear I didn't realize it was the same until I started to sew it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzt2a-kseUo/T5Xxj-nUpNI/AAAAAAAABYA/Bz0fXndJGSc/s1600/IMG_7060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzt2a-kseUo/T5Xxj-nUpNI/AAAAAAAABYA/Bz0fXndJGSc/s400/IMG_7060.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All rolled up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMkz8imaGiA/T5XxhSblleI/AAAAAAAABXw/5ipwdJNPr3s/s1600/IMG_7058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMkz8imaGiA/T5XxhSblleI/AAAAAAAABXw/5ipwdJNPr3s/s320/IMG_7058.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love this little detail at the bottom. I've never used those decorative stitches on my machine before this project, and now I want to use it on everything!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OUPCXzSA0E/T5XxlI6KxzI/AAAAAAAABYI/p4EZ6oQuVNI/s1600/IMG_7061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OUPCXzSA0E/T5XxlI6KxzI/AAAAAAAABYI/p4EZ6oQuVNI/s400/IMG_7061.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last thing I made was this jewelry roll up. I didn't really use a tutorial on this one. I just used what I already learned from making the other cases. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDNYwGWmf90/T5Xxmk2xslI/AAAAAAAABYQ/Hi_iYj-s_eY/s1600/IMG_7064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDNYwGWmf90/T5Xxmk2xslI/AAAAAAAABYQ/Hi_iYj-s_eY/s400/IMG_7064.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Three zippers, with the tie on top. I was thinking I could also use that tie on top to tie it to a doorknob or towel rack to hang up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TiKHaEvQuuY/T5Xxn3lh-2I/AAAAAAAABYY/p_PnyI1k3yY/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TiKHaEvQuuY/T5Xxn3lh-2I/AAAAAAAABYY/p_PnyI1k3yY/s400/IMG_7066.JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's kind of hard to see, but I sewed the fabric to divide it into smaller sections to put smaller jewelry in, so it wouldn't tangle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1Sth87AI5A/T5XxrFCXWSI/AAAAAAAABYo/1APl90otMq4/s1600/IMG_7070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1Sth87AI5A/T5XxrFCXWSI/AAAAAAAABYo/1APl90otMq4/s400/IMG_7070.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Full disclosure, I was trying to make this all green fabric but I didn't have enough, so I used what I had. It's not all bad, but I wish I would have been able to do only green. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, I don't have a zipper foot, like all of the tutorials suggest you use. I thought it was easy enough to just use the zipper as a guide, so don't think you have to go out and buy one (if you have an ancient machine like I do). It's totally doable with a regular foot. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was a fun project that only took about two night owl sessions for everything and will hopefully keep me from constantly digging around to find what I need on my long trip!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I may or may not have time to write while I'm away, but I'll be sure to let you all know how everything goes!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=4c97c159-9b7c-49a1-a64a-c8e73b7e8ef3" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></span></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-82284656187470130572012-03-22T17:09:00.001-06:002012-03-22T17:14:45.080-06:00DIY applique<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BDkyymzLYvo/T2ulMIG4gWI/AAAAAAAABWw/PrMfO-B60rY/s1600/IMG_6865.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BDkyymzLYvo/T2ulMIG4gWI/AAAAAAAABWw/PrMfO-B60rY/s400/IMG_6865.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think I've adequately explained my love of Ohio University to you guys in the past. But, in case you forgot, you can read about it <a href="http://www.bestmilehighmom.blogspot.com/2011/10/coming-home.html" target="_blank">here.</a> Over the past week, something magnificent has happened. The basketball team went to the NCAA tournament. And won a game! Then, they won ANOTHER game! That means they are in the sweet 16, which hasn't happened in a lot of years. Long before I was even born. When I was a student at Ohio, the thought of even making it to the tournament was ridiculous, let alone winning a game or two. When there was about a minute left in the game on Sunday, I turned to Eric and said "If we win this, I'm SO making shirts!" (Isn't he lucky to have me? And he definitely did NOT roll his eyes when I said that.) Well, we won. So I made shirts.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love that distressed applique look, so that's what I went for with these. This was the first time I've done anything like this. In fact, I'm not even sure applique is the right word. I sewed fabric onto shirts, whatever<i> that's</i> called. Here's how I did it.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I started off with some $5 kids shirts from Target. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hf_upY3EZhM/T2ukBqbdw-I/AAAAAAAABUY/GyPCtjRuS2w/s1600/IMG_6694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hf_upY3EZhM/T2ukBqbdw-I/AAAAAAAABUY/GyPCtjRuS2w/s400/IMG_6694.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They had pockets, so I took those off with a seam ripper. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcSrnCvhsU4/T2ukDd0GEaI/AAAAAAAABUg/HLYdbQce7RQ/s1600/IMG_6695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcSrnCvhsU4/T2ukDd0GEaI/AAAAAAAABUg/HLYdbQce7RQ/s400/IMG_6695.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found one of Eric's old polo shirts that was in the giveaway pile. I liked the green on it, and the stripes were wide enough apart that I could just use the green. I also had an old ill-fitting white shirt that I used. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f60_9DoYUMo/T2ukFNh1HYI/AAAAAAAABUo/TENOzH-FI8w/s1600/IMG_6696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f60_9DoYUMo/T2ukFNh1HYI/AAAAAAAABUo/TENOzH-FI8w/s400/IMG_6696.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I printed out my letters on cardstock and cut them out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WU0gsZI9hdI/T2ukGhSIh7I/AAAAAAAABUw/eIkqvrOSkQg/s1600/IMG_6697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WU0gsZI9hdI/T2ukGhSIh7I/AAAAAAAABUw/eIkqvrOSkQg/s400/IMG_6697.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I cut out the fabric, tracing the printed letters. This is where one of those cool fabric cutting machines would be handy. I didn't mind that they weren't perfect though, since I was going for a distressed look.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH2ZnMKYkQs/T2ukH71ufJI/AAAAAAAABU4/itVubEQalTs/s1600/IMG_6698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH2ZnMKYkQs/T2ukH71ufJI/AAAAAAAABU4/itVubEQalTs/s400/IMG_6698.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I took some fusible tape and put them on the back of the letters...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iUozapsGGfc/T2ukJEkb_EI/AAAAAAAABVA/4OFW6JNc0rk/s1600/IMG_6699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iUozapsGGfc/T2ukJEkb_EI/AAAAAAAABVA/4OFW6JNc0rk/s400/IMG_6699.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And ironed them on a piece of white fabric that I cut out from the old white shirt. (You could do it right on the garment, but I kind of want to be able to take off the whole patch and put it back onto another shirt when they outgrow these.) I found that it was really important to fuse the applique on first before sewing it on. That way it didn't move around while sewing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyGs6mznh2c/T2ukKjnY1eI/AAAAAAAABVI/D0gdSVRHvM4/s1600/IMG_6700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyGs6mznh2c/T2ukKjnY1eI/AAAAAAAABVI/D0gdSVRHvM4/s400/IMG_6700.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I started sewing around the edges of the letters. (I left a little bit of room away from the edge so that as it gets washed, it will start to look more distressed.) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPFel8_UJG0/T2ukLjgiMdI/AAAAAAAABVQ/Q4KsyJq-WXw/s1600/IMG_6702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPFel8_UJG0/T2ukLjgiMdI/AAAAAAAABVQ/Q4KsyJq-WXw/s400/IMG_6702.JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sew really slow. When you get to a corner or curve put the needle down into the fabric, and lift the presser foot up to release the fabric so you can turn it however you need. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yhbay0njT8c/T2ukMgOMM-I/AAAAAAAABVY/YKnky_wTt6Q/s1600/IMG_6704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yhbay0njT8c/T2ukMgOMM-I/AAAAAAAABVY/YKnky_wTt6Q/s400/IMG_6704.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cool thing about the word "OHIO" is that all the letters are the same upside down.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7yLbbVO6lHU/T2ukN34iFHI/AAAAAAAABVg/cOAwyk70z4E/s1600/IMG_6705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7yLbbVO6lHU/T2ukN34iFHI/AAAAAAAABVg/cOAwyk70z4E/s400/IMG_6705.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then put some fusing tape or batting on the back of the applique, and iron it on to the shirt where you want it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIzoaiSHTxQ/T2ukPUmL8XI/AAAAAAAABVo/xCTHARBc0OI/s1600/IMG_6708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIzoaiSHTxQ/T2ukPUmL8XI/AAAAAAAABVo/xCTHARBc0OI/s400/IMG_6708.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And sew around the whole thing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vo-G0JGUAw/T2ukRMqbCLI/AAAAAAAABVw/pRB8We0BkOA/s1600/IMG_6709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vo-G0JGUAw/T2ukRMqbCLI/AAAAAAAABVw/pRB8We0BkOA/s400/IMG_6709.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I cut the excess fabric off, and threw it into the washer to start the distressed look. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnlf2OGvQ44/T2ukSp0inCI/AAAAAAAABV4/T9Rzy1mO1Gs/s1600/IMG_6711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnlf2OGvQ44/T2ukSp0inCI/AAAAAAAABV4/T9Rzy1mO1Gs/s400/IMG_6711.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I tried taking pictures of the boys in their shirts at the park. It didn't really work. I couldn't get the both to look at the camera and make a normal face....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BdhxnXWVYw/T2ulFxKO4zI/AAAAAAAABWA/KuetZ9B43vY/s1600/IMG_6715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BdhxnXWVYw/T2ulFxKO4zI/AAAAAAAABWA/KuetZ9B43vY/s400/IMG_6715.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">or each other.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvarYsTJ6PM/T2ulGxVIf_I/AAAAAAAABWI/FoFFE62JAmk/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvarYsTJ6PM/T2ulGxVIf_I/AAAAAAAABWI/FoFFE62JAmk/s400/IMG_6718.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">or anything else....</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFmv6FI6X_U/T2ulHmodNAI/AAAAAAAABWQ/5Cz5LANo07E/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFmv6FI6X_U/T2ulHmodNAI/AAAAAAAABWQ/5Cz5LANo07E/s400/IMG_6747.JPG" width="285" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This one cracks me up!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, I just took them home and got individual pictures of them in their new shirts. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rtWOfE3iAcE/T2ulI6SqsgI/AAAAAAAABWY/7GCQH_bm1gY/s1600/IMG_6775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rtWOfE3iAcE/T2ulI6SqsgI/AAAAAAAABWY/7GCQH_bm1gY/s400/IMG_6775.JPG" width="285" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAcV2kCe4y8/T2ulJytP3TI/AAAAAAAABWg/A6vrRU1Yilc/s1600/IMG_6831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAcV2kCe4y8/T2ulJytP3TI/AAAAAAAABWg/A6vrRU1Yilc/s400/IMG_6831.JPG" width="283" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made one for me too! A different one. I used pretty much the same process, but this time I got a green corduroy from Joann's, and I sewed the Ohio (with a heart cut out where Ohio University is) right onto the shirt. Then washed it too. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcKbfY7YULA/T2ulK2aRPRI/AAAAAAAABWo/UaQuDDpf-Mk/s1600/IMG_6864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcKbfY7YULA/T2ulK2aRPRI/AAAAAAAABWo/UaQuDDpf-Mk/s400/IMG_6864.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Corduroy frays well.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NTmGhdI7-0/T2uwbTgpYwI/AAAAAAAABXA/okxhaQ_wrbA/s1600/Ohio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NTmGhdI7-0/T2uwbTgpYwI/AAAAAAAABXA/okxhaQ_wrbA/s400/Ohio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mbz13ODd_k4/T2ulNNNJskI/AAAAAAAABW4/QCKyYObk880/s1600/IMG_6870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mbz13ODd_k4/T2ulNNNJskI/AAAAAAAABW4/QCKyYObk880/s400/IMG_6870.JPG" width="283" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the shirt on</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go Bobcats!<br />
</span></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=5ff9c123-9929-4def-8806-680d973a12a1" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-83768004924904825542012-03-12T23:54:00.000-06:002012-03-12T23:54:44.193-06:00Mile High Momday: Fitted Hoodie<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVyelNgToZs/T17VyjVk_zI/AAAAAAAABT4/k6J0xcefx5U/s1600/fitted+avs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVyelNgToZs/T17VyjVk_zI/AAAAAAAABT4/k6J0xcefx5U/s400/fitted+avs.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a confession to make. I'm a hoarder. Not like the hoarders you see on tv, but I hoard tshirts and sweatshirts. I can go through my closet and get rid of tons and tons of clothes, but never a tshirt or sweatshirt. In my defense, I DO wear them a lot. But the problem with most of my tees and sweats is that they are about 3 sizes too big for me. And unless I'm sick and have no plans to leave the house, (like I have been for the past 2 weeks) I don't usually wear them. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like this Avalanche hoodie.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVyelNgToZs/T17VyjVk_zI/AAAAAAAABT4/k6J0xcefx5U/s1600/fitted+avs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0AX74TuZMFM/T17Vw4LgIAI/AAAAAAAABTo/F7EHtzZKlTA/s400/big+avs.jpg" width="285" /></a> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got this beauty in the boys department when I was going to my first Avalanche game when I was pregnant with Jackson. I'm pretty sure no one noticed I was pregnant when I wore this. It's a size boys XL. And apparently extra large sized boys have very thick arms and are shaped like boxes. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We got last minute tickets to the Avalanche game this past Saturday, and I knew I wanted to wear Avalanche gear, but didn't want to look like an extra large boy. Or pregnant. So a quick alteration was in order. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Xw583j7H0/T17ZRjoc3jI/AAAAAAAABUA/ZwUXLu_O6Lg/s1600/batmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've done this with a few of my sweat shirts. Some have gone well. Some, not so well. So I'll tell you how I did this one, that went well, and things to avoid along the way. (So you don't end up with a short sleeved sweatshirt, like I did a couple weeks ago) This is so not an exact science. I'm sure any real seamstress would be cringing at the way I've done this, but it works for me. And it makes an uncute shirt, cute and totally wearable. So it's a win in my book. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The whole project took about 45 minutes, but that included stopping several times for motherly duties. (or maybe I should say "doodies"? I don't know.) ANYWAY</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">First I started with a hoodie that fits me well.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVyelNgToZs/T17VyjVk_zI/AAAAAAAABT4/k6J0xcefx5U/s1600/fitted+avs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50rtVP1EUE8/T17VxuZVrhI/AAAAAAAABTw/T0SNYlkr-Z8/s1600/culturehoodie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50rtVP1EUE8/T17VxuZVrhI/AAAAAAAABTw/T0SNYlkr-Z8/s400/culturehoodie.jpg" width="285" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I took my Avs hoodie and turned it inside out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVyelNgToZs/T17VyjVk_zI/AAAAAAAABT4/k6J0xcefx5U/s1600/fitted+avs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECAAstBg4JY/T15JTQLpSYI/AAAAAAAABSY/nQwB7W7Udlg/s1600/IMG_6539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECAAstBg4JY/T15JTQLpSYI/AAAAAAAABSY/nQwB7W7Udlg/s400/IMG_6539.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I put my well fitting hoodie over the Avs one...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2_1reAza_Y/T15JVuuTd3I/AAAAAAAABSg/akS501xx4Ms/s1600/IMG_6541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2_1reAza_Y/T15JVuuTd3I/AAAAAAAABSg/akS501xx4Ms/s400/IMG_6541.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And drew a line around the good hoodie with chalk. This doesn't have to be an exact science, but I did use my tape measure a couple times in various places to make sure I was staying even on each side. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A note from experience here. Be careful around the armpits and arms. My last hoodie was so tight in the armpits it was way too uncomfortable to wear. When in doubt, give yourself extra room. You can always take it in more later. Also, be careful with the wrists. I barely took mine in at all. Those are probably close to the right size to begin with. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldXDQSfPzsw/T15JX1B6FiI/AAAAAAAABSo/Z8ocyUw_Fhs/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldXDQSfPzsw/T15JX1B6FiI/AAAAAAAABSo/Z8ocyUw_Fhs/s400/IMG_6542.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I pinned the front and back together around the chalk line, to keep it in place while I sewed. Don't cut anything yet!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOhPNAqLGGI/T15JZgG8x8I/AAAAAAAABSw/cfEKhGq8jdo/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOhPNAqLGGI/T15JZgG8x8I/AAAAAAAABSw/cfEKhGq8jdo/s400/IMG_6543.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Take a contrasting color of thread and make an extra long stitch over your chalk line. This is just to hold it in place so you can try it on, and to give you a guide for when you really take it in later. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>It's tempting to skip this step. I have. And I was sorry. It takes two minutes, just do it. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5MHVhq0nkxw/T15JdTBL4xI/AAAAAAAABTA/AYz-xyhpzeg/s1600/IMG_6545.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5MHVhq0nkxw/T15JdTBL4xI/AAAAAAAABTA/AYz-xyhpzeg/s400/IMG_6545.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCLpBugFqrk/T15Jb_F8XTI/AAAAAAAABS4/tmaoI6bM7bM/s1600/IMG_6544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCLpBugFqrk/T15Jb_F8XTI/AAAAAAAABS4/tmaoI6bM7bM/s400/IMG_6544.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Basting stitch over the chalk line</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now try it on, inside out. <i> </i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>If you turn it right side out, there will be too much material inside and you won't get a good feel for how it fits. </i></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Xw583j7H0/T17ZRjoc3jI/AAAAAAAABUA/ZwUXLu_O6Lg/s1600/batmom.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Xw583j7H0/T17ZRjoc3jI/AAAAAAAABUA/ZwUXLu_O6Lg/s400/batmom.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At this point, the baby woke up and I had to attend to him. In my inside out basted hoodie. It was cool though. I felt like BATMOM!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you like the way it fits, go ahead and use a coordinating color thread and do a tight zig zag stitch over your basting thread. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you don't like the way it fits, make adjustments now. (I took the arms in a smidge more. I was a little overly careful about them being too tight.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After you do your zig zag stitch everywhere, try it on again, inside out. I know I'm nagging here, but it's not too late to fix it if it doesn't fit right. It's never too late until you start cutting.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If it works, go ahead and cut off the excess. Some people might go back through and do a zig zag stitch again on the edge to ensure it's not going anywhere. You can also pull the basting stitch out. I didn't though. (And no know knew the difference...)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyPgDgJrr_8/T15JgL7nj_I/AAAAAAAABTI/Gx-rGXxewKU/s1600/IMG_6547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyPgDgJrr_8/T15JgL7nj_I/AAAAAAAABTI/Gx-rGXxewKU/s320/IMG_6547.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SYx1wDyY_0/T17eLfAFttI/AAAAAAAABUI/RRJvzHRMflY/s1600/big+avsbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SYx1wDyY_0/T17eLfAFttI/AAAAAAAABUI/RRJvzHRMflY/s400/big+avsbefore.jpg" width="285" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lHP-OUCptc/T17eNBe480I/AAAAAAAABUQ/s8REtjONQP4/s1600/fitted+avsafter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lHP-OUCptc/T17eNBe480I/AAAAAAAABUQ/s8REtjONQP4/s400/fitted+avsafter.jpg" width="285" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SYx1wDyY_0/T17eLfAFttI/AAAAAAAABUI/RRJvzHRMflY/s1600/big+avsbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lHP-OUCptc/T17eNBe480I/AAAAAAAABUQ/s8REtjONQP4/s1600/fitted+avsafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a great time at the hockey game, btw. We won! And now Jackson wants to be a professional hockey player when he grows up. And a professional basketball player. And soccer player. And golfer.....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVyelNgToZs/T17VyjVk_zI/AAAAAAAABT4/k6J0xcefx5U/s1600/fitted+avs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-73651741345244821412012-02-29T13:12:00.003-07:002012-02-29T13:16:42.076-07:00I hit the baby jackpot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNs_Pzbntsk/T059irwssRI/AAAAAAAABRE/ihzHyoMkrBk/s1600/IMG_6361-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNs_Pzbntsk/T059irwssRI/AAAAAAAABRE/ihzHyoMkrBk/s400/IMG_6361-1.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gavin is 7 months old. Where has the time gone? </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sdlMblWZh1w/T059xsOAV1I/AAAAAAAABR4/n5S2BzNw6PQ/s1600/IMG_6412-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sdlMblWZh1w/T059xsOAV1I/AAAAAAAABR4/n5S2BzNw6PQ/s400/IMG_6412-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know everyone likes to brag about how great their baby is, but seriously, I have the best baby in the whole world. I thought Jackson was a good baby, and he <i>was</i> pretty good, but Gavin? He is so laid back and easy going. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLRJhCU3GhM/T059tE_JQhI/AAAAAAAABRo/6jnvLx-kR7o/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLRJhCU3GhM/T059tE_JQhI/AAAAAAAABRo/6jnvLx-kR7o/s400/IMG_6375.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">He sleeps through the night. (Really through the night. From 8:00pm - 7:00am) He only cries when he's hungry or poopie. And even then, his cry is more of a whimper. He eats. I can take him anywhere. I'm in the honeymoon phase of babyhood. Don't get me wrong. I<i> know</i> it won't always be like this. I know what lies ahead. Having a toddler is enough to bring even the best mommy to tears in seconds. That's why I'm trying to take this all in and live it up for all it's worth. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnPmCsyWXzA/T059g019UWI/AAAAAAAABRA/b4l7z-IKSos/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnPmCsyWXzA/T059g019UWI/AAAAAAAABRA/b4l7z-IKSos/s400/IMG_6346.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having such a relaxed and easy going baby isn't without it's problems. Gavin is, how should I put this? <s>Lazy</s>. Content. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rew_LBj33NU/T059vekFYPI/AAAAAAAABRw/TJyyZ3pX5gA/s1600/IMG_6395.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rew_LBj33NU/T059vekFYPI/AAAAAAAABRw/TJyyZ3pX5gA/s400/IMG_6395.JPG" width="318" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He's so content that he's not even rolling over yet. Yes, that's right. My 7 month old is <i>not</i> rolling over. He has rolled over a handful of times from his belly to his back. And he's sitting up like a champ. But he isn't rolling over from his back to his belly. He gets 95% of the way there, then rolls back over to his back. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NF-EBGZgyj4/T059qsNF7GI/AAAAAAAABRg/bF9Y0Onn3xo/s1600/IMG_6373.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NF-EBGZgyj4/T059qsNF7GI/AAAAAAAABRg/bF9Y0Onn3xo/s400/IMG_6373.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not too worried about him though. I think he's capable, he just doesn't really want to. And besides, look at how big his head is. That can't make it easy on him!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2aujPb33YOM/T059kkpA7VI/AAAAAAAABRQ/hcdyz4UgYFY/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2aujPb33YOM/T059kkpA7VI/AAAAAAAABRQ/hcdyz4UgYFY/s400/IMG_6363.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also, the boy loves to jump in his jumperoo. I mean, he really has at it. He could jump until he falls asleep (and has many times). It's quite funny to see him in action. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HAF8xCk-0yw/T059nYMqMGI/AAAAAAAABRY/oNHtFVO3hGo/s1600/IMG_6370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HAF8xCk-0yw/T059nYMqMGI/AAAAAAAABRY/oNHtFVO3hGo/s400/IMG_6370.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm pretty sure this means I can never have another baby. If I do, I'm bound to get a difficult one. It's only fair. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl3JeMq1ObY/T059zuiq8oI/AAAAAAAABSA/g-FfU_knjSc/s1600/IMG_6430-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl3JeMq1ObY/T059zuiq8oI/AAAAAAAABSA/g-FfU_knjSc/s400/IMG_6430-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I could kiss those little lips, and look into those deep blue eyes all day long!</span></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=c35dbbcb-9897-4051-aa32-2d13bbd75864" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-47083813725855553162012-02-27T14:42:00.000-07:002012-02-27T14:42:14.933-07:00Mile High Momday: Better than thin mints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kD79ji3sY6Q/T0v1g29HB2I/AAAAAAAABQI/oPApQce4b2c/s1600/IMG_6344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kD79ji3sY6Q/T0v1g29HB2I/AAAAAAAABQI/oPApQce4b2c/s400/IMG_6344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the sale of our beloved Girl Scout cookies coming to an end for the year, I thought this was the perfect time to share my new favorite recipe. You know, for when you run out of real thin mints. This recipe is nothing new. Apparently it's been floating around the internet for a while, but it's new to me. There are several versions, but this one seems to be the easiest, cheapest, and most importantly the yummiest. My friend and neighbor made them and they are sooooooo good. And soooooo easy to make! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made them last night, when we had company, and all four of us agreed, dare we say, that we like them MORE than real thin mints. I know! This is barely a recipe (kind of like<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/late-night-bacon-recipe/index.html" target="_blank"> Rachel Ray's "Late Night Bacon"</a> - which, if you read the reviews of the recipe on that link, you will wet your pants you'll be laughing so hard). It's more of a how to, because it doesn't actually involve any cooking, or baking.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You will need: </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ritz crackers (regular or low fat)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 pound of chocolate candy coating</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">peppermint extract </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6mLpHReOsQ/T0v1IfytzUI/AAAAAAAABPg/ybZ3PfFcuWs/s1600/IMG_6334.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6mLpHReOsQ/T0v1IfytzUI/AAAAAAAABPg/ybZ3PfFcuWs/s400/IMG_6334.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Melt the chocolate according to the directions on the package. (I particularly like this store brand chocolate because it has a tray already in there that I can just throw away when I'm done. No need to dirty a bowl.)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVW5KK9D7TA/T0v1MoX2EBI/AAAAAAAABPo/TDZVPGzoilA/s1600/IMG_6335.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVW5KK9D7TA/T0v1MoX2EBI/AAAAAAAABPo/TDZVPGzoilA/s400/IMG_6335.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of peppermint extract (to taste).</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dip the cracker in the chocolate mixture</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrL2mHySGPc/T0v1QwFTudI/AAAAAAAABPw/P8SwJ2l-MM4/s1600/IMG_6336.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrL2mHySGPc/T0v1QwFTudI/AAAAAAAABPw/P8SwJ2l-MM4/s400/IMG_6336.JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Place on wax paper, and put in the fridge for a few minute to harden.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oED8KkPEW0E/T0v1WThiVTI/AAAAAAAABP4/CT6jysy0vR8/s1600/IMG_6337.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oED8KkPEW0E/T0v1WThiVTI/AAAAAAAABP4/CT6jysy0vR8/s400/IMG_6337.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy! This recipe made about 40 cookies, and there are about 10 left, less than 24 hours later! Yum!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfLtUyG_Duk/T0v1ca5PtiI/AAAAAAAABQA/KzvHNwalW-Q/s1600/IMG_6340.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfLtUyG_Duk/T0v1ca5PtiI/AAAAAAAABQA/KzvHNwalW-Q/s1600/IMG_6340.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-78135055469686874172012-02-20T11:21:00.000-07:002012-02-20T11:21:22.710-07:00The Best Prime Rib Ever<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FnFNGWgfp6U/Tzww4LE2GgI/AAAAAAAABO4/IvxMUczFAms/s1600/IMG_6299.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FnFNGWgfp6U/Tzww4LE2GgI/AAAAAAAABO4/IvxMUczFAms/s400/IMG_6299.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here it is. The Best (no pun intended) recipe for prime rib. Sorry to all of my vegetarian readers. Not because of the pictures of the raw meat I'm about to show, but because you'll never get the pleasure of eating the most delicious thing on Earth. I got the recipe from my mother in law. (Also a Best, so it makes sense.) Prime rib is so crazy easy and it makes you look like a master chef, especially if you have important company over. The hardest part of the recipe is the dent it makes on your wallet. Fortunately for us, we found a store that sells it for crazy cheap. I mean C-RAZY cheap! $4.99 a pound and it's all natural, grass fed beef. (<a href="http://www.sunflowermarkets.com/" target="_blank">Sunflower Farmers Market,</a> if you're on the western side of the U.S.) It's not always $4.99 a pound, but when it is, we buy and freeze. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple notes before I start the recipe. When you buy your prime rib, you'll want about 1 rib or less per person. This was a three bone rib roast for the two of us, and we got three meals out of it. When you go to the butcher, ask them to cut the bone off and then tie it back on. This will give you the yummy flavor of the bone, without having to deal with cutting it off after you cook it. Also, in the spirit of full disclosure, this particular prime rib was waaaaaay over done. It was partially my fault because I broke our meat thermometer and didn't have any way of checking how done it was, and also Eric was very late for dinner that night so it sat for too long :( Major bummer, but it still had the same good flavor, just a little more done than we both like it. But if you follow the recipe and don't let it sit too long waiting for your husband to get home you'll be just fine.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You'll need two ingredients:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1) Beef rib roast</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2) <a href="http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/house_seasoning/" target="_blank">Paula Deen's House seasoning</a> (I make it myself and keep it on hand for lots of other recipes)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-utgvWBzQry8/TzwwU24kgZI/AAAAAAAABOA/IxVfvPJLIwU/s1600/IMG_6287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-utgvWBzQry8/TzwwU24kgZI/AAAAAAAABOA/IxVfvPJLIwU/s400/IMG_6287.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFfdomI2djc/TzwwYga_BfI/AAAAAAAABOI/_elzYSwvt-s/s1600/IMG_6288.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFfdomI2djc/TzwwYga_BfI/AAAAAAAABOI/_elzYSwvt-s/s400/IMG_6288.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Preheat the oven to 425 degrees</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rub the house seasoning all over the meat. (I really cake it on)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFfdomI2djc/TzwwYga_BfI/AAAAAAAABOI/_elzYSwvt-s/s1600/IMG_6288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcr4-snJ1kI/TzwwcrM0i-I/AAAAAAAABOQ/cgKS4Hjk8yw/s1600/IMG_6289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcr4-snJ1kI/TzwwcrM0i-I/AAAAAAAABOQ/cgKS4Hjk8yw/s400/IMG_6289.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7iOolBYlOvc/Tzwwg2zBKSI/AAAAAAAABOY/tlpjZkzZJ_g/s1600/IMG_6291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7iOolBYlOvc/Tzwwg2zBKSI/AAAAAAAABOY/tlpjZkzZJ_g/s400/IMG_6291.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Place in roasting pan, rib side down</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Roast at 425 for 30 minutes.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reduce the heat to 350 and continue to cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Check with a meat thermometer after 1 1/2 hours. Take it out when it is about 5-10 degrees cooler than you want, cover it and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Then carve. (It will cook those last few 5-10 degrees while it's resting.) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Very Rare = 130 degrees</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rare = 140 degrees</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Medium Rare = 150 degrees</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Medium = 160 degrees</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well = 170 degrees</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Very Well = 180 degrees </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We like ours medium, so I try to take it out around 150 degrees</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VRTrCFlHuEA/TzwwlJfTkAI/AAAAAAAABOg/OEC5Qlx2V8s/s1600/IMG_6294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VRTrCFlHuEA/TzwwlJfTkAI/AAAAAAAABOg/OEC5Qlx2V8s/s400/IMG_6294.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I usually take it out of the pan and let it rest on the carving board, but this was about the time that I realized how late Eric was going to be, and I was worried it wouldn't be hot enough by the time he got home. Another crucial mistake this time around :(</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcX-5BL3vf0/TzwwyDnSizI/AAAAAAAABOw/QkgTWT3AerA/s1600/IMG_6298.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcX-5BL3vf0/TzwwyDnSizI/AAAAAAAABOw/QkgTWT3AerA/s400/IMG_6298.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5gcsJ1Qld0/TzwxDgPHBVI/AAAAAAAABPI/9_j28vHb5i0/s1600/IMG_6302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even our pickiest eater loves it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwXzsZgcK34/Tzww96erDXI/AAAAAAAABPA/civv-HvHzIk/s1600/IMG_6301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwXzsZgcK34/Tzww96erDXI/AAAAAAAABPA/civv-HvHzIk/s400/IMG_6301.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5gcsJ1Qld0/TzwxDgPHBVI/AAAAAAAABPI/9_j28vHb5i0/s1600/IMG_6302.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5gcsJ1Qld0/TzwxDgPHBVI/AAAAAAAABPI/9_j28vHb5i0/s400/IMG_6302.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To make the Au Jous, remove the roast from the pan, and add 2 cups of beef broth to the pan drippings. Season with worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes and serve with the roast. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcX-5BL3vf0/TzwwyDnSizI/AAAAAAAABOw/QkgTWT3AerA/s1600/IMG_6298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=4944a1dd-00ca-4590-9aeb-c1288f1e0329" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></span></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-66904875904786888162012-02-14T06:00:00.001-07:002012-02-14T06:00:15.195-07:00Feeling the love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkhICNmtfVc/TznsFDpZaWI/AAAAAAAABLI/-g5J6b2xxj4/s1600/IMG_6174-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkhICNmtfVc/TznsFDpZaWI/AAAAAAAABLI/-g5J6b2xxj4/s400/IMG_6174-2.JPG" width="286" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been very inspired by Pinterest this Valentine's Day. For Jackson's Valentines for preschool, I made the one that's been floating around Pinterest and blogs for a while:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIjZAbzIpe8/Tznt291u82I/AAAAAAAABNw/y4H_YTYjToY/s1600/IMG_6282.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIjZAbzIpe8/Tznt291u82I/AAAAAAAABNw/y4H_YTYjToY/s400/IMG_6282.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gavin and I had a lot of fun last week....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WhWl74Cu7X4/TznsUNAdQdI/AAAAAAAABLY/8qPEAvxTo-g/s1600/IMG_6175-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WhWl74Cu7X4/TznsUNAdQdI/AAAAAAAABLY/8qPEAvxTo-g/s400/IMG_6175-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3fhexht3PY/TznsZ-Kb0xI/AAAAAAAABLg/UB2NG6n2B_w/s1600/IMG_6187-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3fhexht3PY/TznsZ-Kb0xI/AAAAAAAABLg/UB2NG6n2B_w/s400/IMG_6187-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVUeVd91w8g/Tznsgn6pfwI/AAAAAAAABLo/3QQLKAFCdrE/s1600/IMG_6189-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVUeVd91w8g/Tznsgn6pfwI/AAAAAAAABLo/3QQLKAFCdrE/s400/IMG_6189-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MludL08hRVc/TznsmRs7G_I/AAAAAAAABLw/Boelge2VuY4/s1600/IMG_6189-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MludL08hRVc/TznsmRs7G_I/AAAAAAAABLw/Boelge2VuY4/s400/IMG_6189-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOl014u5bTw/TznstSL8-aI/AAAAAAAABL4/VfmagFWRvbQ/s1600/IMG_6190-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOl014u5bTw/TznstSL8-aI/AAAAAAAABL4/VfmagFWRvbQ/s400/IMG_6190-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been obsessing over garland on my mantel lately. I showed you the <a href="http://bestmilehighmom.blogspot.com/2011/12/pom-pom-garland.html" target="_blank">pom-pom garland</a> I made for Christmas and loved having it up. So it was only natural to try something for Valentine's Day. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DRsoSAT3Nek/TzntxN3TrII/AAAAAAAABNo/YYVf_SAYGow/s1600/IMG_6266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DRsoSAT3Nek/TzntxN3TrII/AAAAAAAABNo/YYVf_SAYGow/s400/IMG_6266.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got 6 sheets of felt. Remember from my pom-pom garland that I have a HUGE mantel, (about 14 feet long) so you probably won't need as much as me.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqtjwsb9jqQ/TznxK1duHkI/AAAAAAAABN4/jmDk0J_DgR0/s1600/IMG_6228.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqtjwsb9jqQ/TznxK1duHkI/AAAAAAAABN4/jmDk0J_DgR0/s400/IMG_6228.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I cut the sheets into 1 inch strips and then in half, making them about 4 1/2 X 1 inch each.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbce3JvYETI/Tzns4OPhjyI/AAAAAAAABMI/WycWD82YxvM/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbce3JvYETI/Tzns4OPhjyI/AAAAAAAABMI/WycWD82YxvM/s400/IMG_6244.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I sewed the ends of two pieces together. I didn't even stop between each set.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GZx15JSd4w/Tzns87680NI/AAAAAAAABMQ/rEBxE3PBlzY/s1600/IMG_6246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GZx15JSd4w/Tzns87680NI/AAAAAAAABMQ/rEBxE3PBlzY/s400/IMG_6246.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just keep going and make a big long chain. Then cut them apart to separate each set. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kubVTNfZJnY/TzntA2ntzVI/AAAAAAAABMY/IpNox6gIthE/s1600/IMG_6248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kubVTNfZJnY/TzntA2ntzVI/AAAAAAAABMY/IpNox6gIthE/s400/IMG_6248.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When they are all separated, open them up and make a heart shape....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FpamMKuX3J4/TzntE2MB14I/AAAAAAAABMg/cnsNQBfkJ7Q/s1600/IMG_6249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FpamMKuX3J4/TzntE2MB14I/AAAAAAAABMg/cnsNQBfkJ7Q/s400/IMG_6249.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">....then sew the ends together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rjmReVyIg9o/TzntJvZP1SI/AAAAAAAABMo/xBRNBiGuFHc/s1600/IMG_6252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rjmReVyIg9o/TzntJvZP1SI/AAAAAAAABMo/xBRNBiGuFHc/s400/IMG_6252.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like before, you don't have to stop. Just keep going between hearts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtA_aG6cKBA/TzntOfGVshI/AAAAAAAABMw/t1ZS19Xqlik/s1600/IMG_6253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtA_aG6cKBA/TzntOfGVshI/AAAAAAAABMw/t1ZS19Xqlik/s400/IMG_6253.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And make one big long heart chain. Then cut them apart. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2DGpfZkbyg4/TzntTLmIsFI/AAAAAAAABM4/OchlqpGnAMI/s1600/IMG_6255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2DGpfZkbyg4/TzntTLmIsFI/AAAAAAAABM4/OchlqpGnAMI/s400/IMG_6255.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hr_lMQhcq-U/TzntX1TPF2I/AAAAAAAABNA/DlIdwy1KEwY/s1600/IMG_6256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hr_lMQhcq-U/TzntX1TPF2I/AAAAAAAABNA/DlIdwy1KEwY/s400/IMG_6256.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I strung them. Take a needle and thread and start threading. (At first, I used clear thread, but that didn't really work. It was sliding too much when I hung it on the mantle, so I restrung it on white thread. It worked much better!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Il8lAZkzebY/TzntcW7V3YI/AAAAAAAABNI/bcrWZ1lVD_Y/s1600/IMG_6257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Il8lAZkzebY/TzntcW7V3YI/AAAAAAAABNI/bcrWZ1lVD_Y/s400/IMG_6257.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pfkR788bF0/TznthNHz52I/AAAAAAAABNQ/zBuzvEGRq9w/s1600/IMG_6260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pfkR788bF0/TznthNHz52I/AAAAAAAABNQ/zBuzvEGRq9w/s400/IMG_6260.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N03AG5AAPN0/Tzntm_Wt4nI/AAAAAAAABNY/4_zaA8FW8-k/s1600/IMG_6262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N03AG5AAPN0/Tzntm_Wt4nI/AAAAAAAABNY/4_zaA8FW8-k/s400/IMG_6262.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vob45rO6h9E/TzntsSbbGWI/AAAAAAAABNg/OzrFvEz23Qw/s1600/IMG_6265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vob45rO6h9E/TzntsSbbGWI/AAAAAAAABNg/OzrFvEz23Qw/s400/IMG_6265.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like that it's kind of hand made and child like looking. And it didn't take too much time, unlike those pom-poms.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's Day everyone! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIjZAbzIpe8/Tznt291u82I/AAAAAAAABNw/y4H_YTYjToY/s1600/IMG_6282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</a></span></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=8128f5ec-f830-48aa-8ee4-8dba9504a114" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></span></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-28367471407520948562012-02-06T11:27:00.000-07:002012-02-06T11:27:31.283-07:00Mile High Momday: Mini-tips for the kitchen<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">None of these things are worth a post in and of themselves. In fact, I'm not sure these are worth a post, even together. But here are a few things around the kitchen that I've found save just a little bit of time, money or effort. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I'm feeling like you all are going to do a collective eye roll and say "Yeah Michele. We know. We've been doing this stuff for years" But some of this was new to me recently, so maybe it will be for you too. </i></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNXHe76NBW4/TzAYiVwWOqI/AAAAAAAABKA/rJ76mP5vm7c/s1600/IMG_6153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNXHe76NBW4/TzAYiVwWOqI/AAAAAAAABKA/rJ76mP5vm7c/s400/IMG_6153.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Did you know that if you keep the white parts of green onions and put them in a glass of water by the window, they will regrow? I've been doing this and it totally works. Never have to buy green onions again! Just cut off what you need and leave the white part in the water. (They grow very fast too!)</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_7cuuEYJyY/TzAYv1M5P_I/AAAAAAAABKY/4gSdOqWUPhA/s1600/IMG_6160.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_7cuuEYJyY/TzAYv1M5P_I/AAAAAAAABKY/4gSdOqWUPhA/s400/IMG_6160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast in this house can be a little rough. Jackson doesn't like to eat, and we are usually running out of time and have to be somewhere in the morning, so whatever I can do to make it faster is a bonus. What I do is make all of our pancakes and waffles ahead of time and freeze them. Then in the morning, I just pull out what he wants and throw it in the microwave for a few seconds. I do this for bacon as well, except I refrigerate it. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of bacon, did you know you can bake it? That's what I've been doing lately. I just put one of those cookie cooling racks on top of a cookie sheet and put it in the oven. You can make a lot more bacon at one time and you don't have to man it and get your stove all bacon greasy. </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Kx-Yk0-nzE/TzAY7aXlRHI/AAAAAAAABKo/zbh9kDCqYQA/s1600/IMG_6163.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Kx-Yk0-nzE/TzAY7aXlRHI/AAAAAAAABKo/zbh9kDCqYQA/s400/IMG_6163.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NfT2Cjlx_Fc/TzAZAhshhcI/AAAAAAAABKw/6m94xP7b09w/s1600/IMG_6164.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NfT2Cjlx_Fc/TzAZAhshhcI/AAAAAAAABKw/6m94xP7b09w/s400/IMG_6164.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another morning time saver is using an egg slicer to slice strawberries and bananas. I recently found this on Pinterest and thought it was genius! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14Oqe8EGrVg/TzAZF9BnvqI/AAAAAAAABK4/n-Z2nagWt9U/s1600/IMG_6165.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14Oqe8EGrVg/TzAZF9BnvqI/AAAAAAAABK4/n-Z2nagWt9U/s400/IMG_6165.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnTqNZU6_WQ/TzAZLBD_JuI/AAAAAAAABLA/BA7WZr8pAME/s1600/IMG_6167.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnTqNZU6_WQ/TzAZLBD_JuI/AAAAAAAABLA/BA7WZr8pAME/s400/IMG_6167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, this one is a stretch, I know. But a while back I was listening to the radio and one of the DJs was talking about how he and his wife argue about how to load the utensils in the dishwasher. One of them said that each kind of utensil needed to be put in a different compartment of the utensil holder while the other one put them in willy nilly. I was a willy nilly-er, until I heard this argument, and tried grouping them together when I loaded them. (It honestly never crossed my mind before to group them) And I have to tell you, it really is easier when it comes time to unload the dishwasher. I just grab the group of knives, forks or spoons, and put them into the drawer. No sorting. It doesn't take any more time when loading the dishwasher either. I know this seems like a little thing, but it saves time, and any time saved right now is appreciated. And I get a strange satisfaction from knowing that I'm doing something efficiently. (I'm weird, I know)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hate when a recipe calls for just a little bit of chicken broth and I end up buying a whole can, then throwing away all the leftover. So, what I do is pour the left over chicken broth in an ice cube tray, freeze it, then store it in a freezer bag. Then when I need just a little chicken broth in the future, I pull out what I need and thaw it.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8CyUU0f9Wu4/TzAYm-rc9TI/AAAAAAAABKI/ROY8z-2uZjE/s1600/IMG_6155.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8CyUU0f9Wu4/TzAYm-rc9TI/AAAAAAAABKI/ROY8z-2uZjE/s400/IMG_6155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the picky eater department, I've been cutting Jackson's sandwiches with cookie cutters in the shape of his favorite things. It's silly, but to a 3 year old, it apparently makes a difference. I found this big box of 101 cookies cutters at Walmart. It's made him a little more excited about eating a sandwich lately. They have letter ones, so I sometimes spell small words for him to eat. I also use the small round one to cut out ham and we make our own lunchables for school. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There you have it. I know it's nothing profound or life changing, but if it can help make your day go a little more smoothly, I think it's worth sharing. Do you have any other kitchen tips to add? I'd love to hear about them!</span></span>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-85327086577363100112012-01-30T00:20:00.001-07:002012-01-30T00:39:54.654-07:00The elephant...on my head...<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I feel like there is something I need to talk about. Something that I've been wanting to write about for a few months now, but haven't quite had the inspiration. No, it's not about world peace, or grass fed versus corn fed cows. It's about something much closer to me. On top of me even. It's my hair. This might not be a big deal to you. In fact, I'm quite certain you don't care about my hair at all. But it's a big deal to me, and this is my blog.</span></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You see, when I was in high school, I had normal hair. In the late 90's it was cool to not really "do" your hair, which was kind of a winning situation for me, since I didn't actually <i>like</i> to do my hair. It's unfortunate, looking back on pictures of me in oversized flannel shirts, pants made for boys and Dr. Martin shoes, but at least getting ready for school each day took minimal effort. My hair was just a normal mid-length, like most other teenage girls at that time.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXH6hnaHmtE/TyYpQk7JOjI/AAAAAAAABJM/gOKiX0RnJIo/s1600/hs1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXH6hnaHmtE/TyYpQk7JOjI/AAAAAAAABJM/gOKiX0RnJIo/s400/hs1.jpg" width="264" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My freshman year in high school....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-w-ksfPdfE/TyYpQxam4BI/AAAAAAAABJU/prGIiDhpe6U/s1600/hs2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-w-ksfPdfE/TyYpQxam4BI/AAAAAAAABJU/prGIiDhpe6U/s400/hs2.jpg" width="270" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My senior year in high school. Note the vast difference 4 years makes...or not....</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I went to college. My first year there, I stuck to my normal girl hair.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLjUqoeoAK4/TyYpJwrbW6I/AAAAAAAABIk/6wLMTG17cTI/s1600/college2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLjUqoeoAK4/TyYpJwrbW6I/AAAAAAAABIk/6wLMTG17cTI/s400/college2.jpg" width="313" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Freshman year in college. "Normal" girl hair. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, the summer between my freshman and sophomore year, I cut it. Really short. I did this, in part, because in the marching band I was in, short hair was waaaaay easier to deal with, and also, because Gwyneth had short hair, and her's was super cute. So I cut it, and I came back to school that year, and lots of people told me they loved it. I loved it. It actually made me more confident in my appearance, knowing that my hair was different than most other girls.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nDY_DkPmgQ/TyYpLOC8zJI/AAAAAAAABI8/ahLDFCm2jAE/s1600/college5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nDY_DkPmgQ/TyYpLOC8zJI/AAAAAAAABI8/ahLDFCm2jAE/s400/college5.jpg" width="336" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was at a Jimmy Buffett concert, so pay no mind to the leis and squinty eyes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It just worked for me. It was easy. I never had to "do" it. It never took me more than 5 minutes to get my hair ready every day. Well, you know that old phrase "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"? It wasn't broke, so I didn't fix it. Ever. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CEgsIgar4Pc/TyYpJqB0AmI/AAAAAAAABIc/DF3mIQemhtw/s1600/college1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CEgsIgar4Pc/TyYpJqB0AmI/AAAAAAAABIc/DF3mIQemhtw/s400/college1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At my sister's wedding, when I was in college.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQPIkCmdZHA/TyYpKJ1oGdI/AAAAAAAABIs/FMMcWyvmrzQ/s1600/college3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQPIkCmdZHA/TyYpKJ1oGdI/AAAAAAAABIs/FMMcWyvmrzQ/s400/college3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Key West on college spring break.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9iTLoW8da0/TyYpKiVEwEI/AAAAAAAABI0/iHfD3W4l2EM/s1600/college4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9iTLoW8da0/TyYpKiVEwEI/AAAAAAAABI0/iHfD3W4l2EM/s400/college4.jpg" width="254" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here I am with the really dressy version of my hair. (Also took 5 minutes to do)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vy2Uc11oxF4/TyYpLWlE6pI/AAAAAAAABJE/1fCAS20ap8Q/s1600/college6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vy2Uc11oxF4/TyYpLWlE6pI/AAAAAAAABJE/1fCAS20ap8Q/s400/college6.jpg" width="318" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes it was a little shorter...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpATmxU-SUs/TyYkWWRV9kI/AAAAAAAABG8/1aew28FhV5Y/s1600/IM000336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpATmxU-SUs/TyYkWWRV9kI/AAAAAAAABG8/1aew28FhV5Y/s400/IM000336.jpg" width="267" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One time I actually tried to grow it out!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27J_7L4Jm-8/TyYkU7RNzwI/AAAAAAAABG0/10jHjpVABds/s1600/Emerald+Isle+056.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27J_7L4Jm-8/TyYkU7RNzwI/AAAAAAAABG0/10jHjpVABds/s400/Emerald+Isle+056.jpg" width="267" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">But then I cut it again :/</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rNRKyQrjZeE/TyYkUHDrDKI/AAAAAAAABGs/9Z4gAqQuNBo/s1600/a54.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rNRKyQrjZeE/TyYkUHDrDKI/AAAAAAAABGs/9Z4gAqQuNBo/s400/a54.jpg" width="313" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our engagement picture....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ktXnfSyyb8/TyYkcf_rHTI/AAAAAAAABHc/0L7RZcDRmis/s1600/P5120115.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ktXnfSyyb8/TyYkcf_rHTI/AAAAAAAABHc/0L7RZcDRmis/s400/P5120115.JPG" width="326" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A picture on our honeymoon....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdxtKMdZm9o/TyYkb7mc2WI/AAAAAAAABHU/4bVLeVBl2_Y/s1600/P1010040.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdxtKMdZm9o/TyYkb7mc2WI/AAAAAAAABHU/4bVLeVBl2_Y/s400/P1010040.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pre-baby hot air ballooning....</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-w-ksfPdfE/TyYpQxam4BI/AAAAAAAABJU/prGIiDhpe6U/s1600/hs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZXXgkhqBvY/TyYkeh9kx8I/AAAAAAAABHs/_w1jSbI5j3I/s1600/P9130042_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZXXgkhqBvY/TyYkeh9kx8I/AAAAAAAABHs/_w1jSbI5j3I/s400/P9130042_2.JPG" width="398" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Post baby Bronco tailgating....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1c45rDtA78/TyYkZn2ZPDI/AAAAAAAABHE/hH-Gevd-NMk/s1600/IMG_2002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1c45rDtA78/TyYkZn2ZPDI/AAAAAAAABHE/hH-Gevd-NMk/s400/IMG_2002.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jackson's first birthday....</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMLo3gGM1Ik/TyYkT8k5mPI/AAAAAAAABGk/wHORpDr_qx0/s1600/2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMLo3gGM1Ik/TyYkT8k5mPI/AAAAAAAABGk/wHORpDr_qx0/s400/2010.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On a cruise in 2010....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oKTVB1qaRdo/TyYyIS1OlTI/AAAAAAAABJw/eQHVruNENi8/s1600/hair1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oKTVB1qaRdo/TyYyIS1OlTI/AAAAAAAABJw/eQHVruNENi8/s400/hair1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">About a month before getting pregnant with Gavin in 2010...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Year after year, I had the exact same hair cut. For 13 years! Then I got pregnant with Gavin, and decided to grow it out. In part because I was too broke to get my hair cut, and in part because I thought "well if I'm going to be all awkward looking with this big belly, I might as well have awkward hair too."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I grew it out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox-PovHM5pA/TWV52BAiJeI/AAAAAAAAAUY/twCqDc6_gmg/s1600/16+weeks+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox-PovHM5pA/TWV52BAiJeI/AAAAAAAAAUY/twCqDc6_gmg/s400/16+weeks+side.jpg" width="262" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Slowly....</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GyCnC3lWie0/TYE1LhFbLoI/AAAAAAAAAYY/t6prp6UP21Q/s1600/19+weeks+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GyCnC3lWie0/TYE1LhFbLoI/AAAAAAAAAYY/t6prp6UP21Q/s400/19+weeks+side.jpg" width="236" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(My belly grew much faster than my hair!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MJtLOCVSlY/Ta9IwksSd0I/AAAAAAAAAgo/8ZX4jzEyvng/s1600/24+weeks+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MJtLOCVSlY/Ta9IwksSd0I/AAAAAAAAAgo/8ZX4jzEyvng/s400/24+weeks+front.jpg" width="250" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Very slowly.....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CnC3gj9xD0/TgLKwR0fRtI/AAAAAAAAAsc/ZRFpi-CSmb8/s1600/33+weeks+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CnC3gj9xD0/TgLKwR0fRtI/AAAAAAAAAsc/ZRFpi-CSmb8/s400/33+weeks+front.jpg" width="270" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">But surely..... </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5yScirchyE/TgyR38kxh7I/AAAAAAAAAtc/E2Bg19BYc4o/s1600/34+weeks+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5yScirchyE/TgyR38kxh7I/AAAAAAAAAtc/E2Bg19BYc4o/s400/34+weeks+side.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My hair started getting longer! (Man, I was tan....is it summer yet?!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rcYi5546vyQ/Tic8LQHcDSI/AAAAAAAAAv4/SRTVo0P9jOI/s1600/37+weeks+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rcYi5546vyQ/Tic8LQHcDSI/AAAAAAAAAv4/SRTVo0P9jOI/s400/37+weeks+front.jpg" width="270" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Until it wasn't all that awkward anymore! (My hair, not my belly!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So here I am, six months after Gavin was born. 15 months since my last <i>real </i>haircut, and it's finally shoulder length. And I don't know what the heck to do with it! I've never actually "done" my hair before. Not on a regular basis anyway. Sometimes I try to curl it....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VKYKTeAWbk/TyYpn6RC_pI/AAAAAAAABJg/wNbsi6FyTp8/s1600/IMG_5301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VKYKTeAWbk/TyYpn6RC_pI/AAAAAAAABJg/wNbsi6FyTp8/s400/IMG_5301.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I try to straighten it.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-goFGFcrj6aI/TyY4eDJb7WI/AAAAAAAABJ4/-CK7M0LhYwI/s1600/PA150110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-goFGFcrj6aI/TyY4eDJb7WI/AAAAAAAABJ4/-CK7M0LhYwI/s320/PA150110.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But naturally, it does this sort of not really straight, not really wavy, limp hanging thing....</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RBqoUhmBtk/TyYjtHEKQSI/AAAAAAAABGE/mlR5QyuRiTE/s1600/Photo+62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RBqoUhmBtk/TyYjtHEKQSI/AAAAAAAABGE/mlR5QyuRiTE/s400/Photo+62.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ugh. I can't believe I just showed the interwebs my 4 inch roots and completely unstyled hair....</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bang area of my hair <i>always </i>drives me crazy! It's constantly falling in my face, so I either tuck it....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shmathnL9y4/TyYjwQLcVKI/AAAAAAAABGM/9TfINqMPwRc/s1600/Photo+54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shmathnL9y4/TyYjwQLcVKI/AAAAAAAABGM/9TfINqMPwRc/s320/Photo+54.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or pin it....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPcgbtYb7QM/TyYjw6O5qNI/AAAAAAAABGU/fHNJDO2VVso/s1600/Photo+55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPcgbtYb7QM/TyYjw6O5qNI/AAAAAAAABGU/fHNJDO2VVso/s320/Photo+55.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or, 9 times out of 10, give up and put it in a pony tail.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NTxSqARqFs4/TyYjzZ8IxmI/AAAAAAAABGc/_nAovBT13jU/s1600/Photo+59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NTxSqARqFs4/TyYjzZ8IxmI/AAAAAAAABGc/_nAovBT13jU/s320/Photo+59.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, now the big question is where to go from here. I'm really thinking I should keep it long. At least for a little while longer. Although I liked having short hair, and feeling unique, I also like having hair that I can actually do stuff with now. And feeling a little more feminine. It definitely needs cut though. At least a little. And we won't even get into my roots. I'm fully aware that those need taken care of. And the biggest question in my mind (regarding my hair) is TO CUT BANGS OR NOT. I always either tuck, pin or pony, so I feel like </span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">something</i> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">needs done. I'm thinking some sort of side swept bang situation, but it has to stay out of my eyes. Especially with my glasses. (Although those may be going away soon! Stayed tuned about that!) So I don't know. What do you guys think? Are bangs a horrible idea? Should I just give in and go with what works? (short hair again?) Seriously. What do you think?</span></span><br />
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<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=e99d0d7c-fb27-4096-8bd5-e86e1b688589" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></span></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-71154560707035863872012-01-16T11:27:00.000-07:002012-01-16T11:27:38.539-07:00Mile High Momday: Make your own babyfood<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Jackson was a baby I looked into making my own baby food for him. As it turned out, I found that it is a much cheaper and healthier way to go. I'm talking saving <i>hundreds</i> of dollars on each baby. Our family doesn't necessarily eat only organic food (although I try to get it if it's economical) but for our babies, we do like to go the organic route. And with the money we save<i> not</i> buying jars of baby food, making organic food is definitely in the budget. Just a little math comparison. Yesterday at our local grocery store, I saw a package of organic baby food for $1.86 for two jars. Let's say you go through 2 jars of food a day*. That's about $55 per month. If you feed your baby baby food for 6 months, that's about $330. Making my own baby food, I've never spent more than $10 per month. And that's going organic and shopping at Whole Foods. See? Hundreds of dollars! Even if you double or triple the number of what you buy to prepare your own baby food, it still comes out better. Not to mention that you know exactly what you are putting in your baby and don't have to worry about any of that extra stuff (preservatives and whatever else you see in there). </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>*Since I've never actually fed my babies jarred baby food, I'm just guessing at the "two jars a day". I don't actually know how many jars most people go through a day. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I started making baby food for Jackson three years ago, they didn't have any of the cheaper baby food maker options like they do now, so we opted for the<a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/beaba-babycook-baby-food-maker/?pkey=e%7Cbeaba%2Bbabycook%2Bbaby%2Bfood%2Bmaker%7C1%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&group=1&sku=2257699&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-" target="_blank"> Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker</a>. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's super easy to use. Yes, they have much cheaper options out there now. NO, you don't actually need ANY of these gadgets to make your own baby food! You need a way to steam your fruits and veggies, like a stove top steamer, a microwave steamer, a counter top steamer, or any other kind of steamer. And a way to puree the baby food, like a food processor, blender, or even a potato masher. You will also need a few other items, like ice cube trays and freezer bags. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once a month, I do all of my shopping and preparing. I'm starting Gavin on veggies. This month is butternut squash, sweet potatoes and peas. I got him avocados too, but I don't make that in bulk, I just squash one up as needed. They (and bananas) get too brown and mushy in the freezer. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZPytn-aKLc/TxRgbM_Fx2I/AAAAAAAABFM/E4qhONj4FxM/s1600/IMG_6085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZPytn-aKLc/TxRgbM_Fx2I/AAAAAAAABFM/E4qhONj4FxM/s400/IMG_6085.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">First, you prepare your food to be steamed. Peel it and chop it if need be. I had to do that for my squash and sweet potatoes but not the peas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Rsi4HUrsaU/TxRggeSnLdI/AAAAAAAABFU/GlVq4aB6scg/s1600/IMG_6087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Rsi4HUrsaU/TxRggeSnLdI/AAAAAAAABFU/GlVq4aB6scg/s400/IMG_6087.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then you steam it, using whatever steaming method you need. (You can bake it too, if you want, but I prefer steaming because you can use that nutrient rich water from the steamer to incorporate into the baby food.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmjrX02HCYY/TxRgj98nLCI/AAAAAAAABFc/cELwof-Yznc/s1600/IMG_6088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmjrX02HCYY/TxRgj98nLCI/AAAAAAAABFc/cELwof-Yznc/s400/IMG_6088.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then you puree it, using the water from steaming to make it the consistency your baby needs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzykC-32gJk/TxRgoqwvmZI/AAAAAAAABFk/Axk-4T1nW40/s1600/IMG_6090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzykC-32gJk/TxRgoqwvmZI/AAAAAAAABFk/Axk-4T1nW40/s400/IMG_6090.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Put it in an ice cube tray and freeze it.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NB9kVuLHyw/TxRg7IGhzRI/AAAAAAAABF8/PVLVNbnasnU/s1600/IMG_6105.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NB9kVuLHyw/TxRg7IGhzRI/AAAAAAAABF8/PVLVNbnasnU/s400/IMG_6105.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The peas are still in the freezer....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then put it in labeled bags and keep it in your freezer. Just pop one or two out when it's time to feed baby. You can microwave it for a few seconds to thaw it. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lb-AlDT4fK8/TxRgur6rosI/AAAAAAAABFs/eHactz5KrYM/s1600/IMG_6100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lb-AlDT4fK8/TxRgur6rosI/AAAAAAAABFs/eHactz5KrYM/s400/IMG_6100.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">At first he was a little unsure about the sweet potato....</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbhz68Meff0/TxRg04TWJzI/AAAAAAAABF0/FhvhqrS71YM/s1600/IMG_6101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbhz68Meff0/TxRg04TWJzI/AAAAAAAABF0/FhvhqrS71YM/s400/IMG_6101.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">But he ended up LOVING it!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of people have told me in the past that they don't have time to do this. Maybe they're right. But I can tell you that it takes me<i> maybe</i> an hour once a month. But for us, it's worth that little bit of extra time to save the money. I also like the flexibility with the food later on, being able to make my own combinations of food, like strawberry banana apple sauce, and peas, green beans and carrots. It's also REALLY nice to have these cubes on hand to add to Jackson's food without him knowing. (cauliflower or squash puree in mac-n-cheese goes completely unnoticed!)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do any of you make your own baby food? What's your baby's favorite kinds? I'm always on the look out for different combinations of food for baby and ways to hide purees in Jackson's food! </span></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=3c6a83bf-d76a-416c-8449-c148ae3ef6e8" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-38407875418689749892012-01-10T15:17:00.000-07:002012-01-10T15:17:32.413-07:00Cloth diaper update<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wow! Sorry guys. It's been forever! The holidays were so crazy for me. We had family visiting, I was doing my first Christmas for two kids, and my husband had a pretty serious knee surgery. Something had to give, so it was my blog. But I'm back now!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of people have asked me how cloth diapering is going, so I thought I'd give you a little update. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-Im2IFlcAE/TwyvEzViGGI/AAAAAAAABE8/cmsxAVmBkcs/s1600/IMG_5094.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-Im2IFlcAE/TwyvEzViGGI/AAAAAAAABE8/cmsxAVmBkcs/s400/IMG_5094.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gavin in his cloth diaper around 3 months old</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-Im2IFlcAE/TwyvEzViGGI/AAAAAAAABE8/cmsxAVmBkcs/s1600/IMG_5094.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Cloth diapering is going pretty good. I'm still sticking with it. The Kawaii brand I got, which is a one size pocket diaper, seem to be holding up well and getting the job done. I use a flushable diaper liner to help with the poop. If he just pees, I throw the liner in the wash with the diapers and they come out just fine and I can reuse them. If he poops, I just flush them. That way I don't have to worry about dunking, scraping, or spraying. It took me a while to figure out the best situation for what to do with used diapers. At first I used at wet/dry bag like this one:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjvGRk-8dzc/Twyw3SxSVFI/AAAAAAAABFE/yYjMuRaPBAs/s1600/Hang_AquaSwirl_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjvGRk-8dzc/Twyw3SxSVFI/AAAAAAAABFE/yYjMuRaPBAs/s400/Hang_AquaSwirl_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> But that didn't really work for me. With the zipper there I really had to use two hands to zip and unzip it. Leaving no hands to hold the diaper. And it would move all around. I felt like I was constantly wrestling it. I needed a no hand system. So, I used a kitchen size trash can with a lid that opens when you step on it. Now I can just step on the trash can and still have my hands to deal with the diaper. Ours has a can that comes out, so when it's time to do laundry, I just take the whole inside of the trash can out, take that to the laundry and dump it in. I don't even have to touch the old diapers. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as the laundry goes, this was the thing that I was the most leery about. So far, they have always come out looking and smelling clean. I do a pre-wash cycle, the wash cycle, and an extra rinse and spin. Then I just put them dryer. I don't hang or air dry anything. It's honestly the easiest laundry I do. No sorting or folding. When they come out of the dryer, I just dump it all in the top drawer of his dresser. Sometimes, if I'm feeling really ambitious, I'll pre-stuff them. (And by sometimes, I mean one time. One time I pre-stuffed them)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Changing him takes <i>maybe</i> 10-20 seconds longer than disposables. That's just because I don't pre-stuff them (except for that one time). Actually changing him takes virtually no extra time. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as diaper rashes, I haven't seen much of a difference in disposables versus cloth. Neither of my boys have been very prone to diaper rashes, so that's kind of a non-factor here. The few times Gavin has been a little red though, I slather him in strong diaper cream and put him in a disposable diaper (since you can't use diaper cream on a cloth diaper) and the rash is usually cleared up by morning. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I still think they are adorable on him, but they are a bit bulky so I sometimes have to put him in a size up to accommodate that. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of the down falls of cloth diapering that I've found are that they aren't as absorbent as disposables. I have to change him a little more often than disposables, or he will leak. I've actually been using disposables just at night, so he doesn't leak in the middle of the night and wake up. <i>Anything</i> to keep that baby asleep at night, right? Gavin has definitely worn his fair share of disposables. When we travel, I use disposables. At night I use disposables. And when my mom was here and she didn't want to deal with cloth, so she ran out and got disposables. Not everyone likes cloth, so that can be a problem too, when other people are changing them. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All in all, I think that the reward is worth the few small hassles of cloth diapering. If I had all the money in the world, I would use a one size, all-in-one diaper. That would mean there would be no stuffing, and would make the process that much easier. But those things are expensive, and I probably wouldn't end up saving that much money in the long run versus disposables. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have any questions about cloth diapering, let me know! </span></span>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-17627943143562208042011-12-07T06:00:00.011-07:002011-12-07T06:00:09.760-07:00Pom Pom Garland<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5peUyB3gG0/Tt7zikf1YLI/AAAAAAAABEQ/xlE1wIu965Q/s1600/IMG_5965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3awdujix_Y/Tt7zgLlvlWI/AAAAAAAABDg/kK7fn-JtAHc/s1600/IMG_5954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3awdujix_Y/Tt7zgLlvlWI/AAAAAAAABDg/kK7fn-JtAHc/s400/IMG_5954.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hey Y'all! So, I've been absent lately. Sorry! (for the 3 readers that probably noticed, that is!) I've been busy with Thanksgiving, my birthday, fulfilling lots of etsy orders, crafting, and, to be totally honest, I just haven't felt like writing. And I promise that you don't want to read what I write when I don't feel like writing. But, I'm back to share this cute little craft I've been working on while watching tv at night. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every year at Christmas time, we hang the stockings on the mantel above the fireplace. And then I take them off. I have to take them off, because we actually <i>use</i> our fireplace, and it gets too hot for our stockings to be hanging in front of them. So this year, I decided to make garland that can be there all the time, and I'll hang our stockings up Christmas Eve. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAGsmbJxDaw/Tt7zf9mextI/AAAAAAAABDY/Zpu__gics-I/s1600/IMG_5953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAGsmbJxDaw/Tt7zf9mextI/AAAAAAAABDY/Zpu__gics-I/s400/IMG_5953.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our mantel is huge. About 14 feet long. It covers the fireplace, the tv, and our entertainment stuff. So this project took me several nights of watching tv (the entire second season of The Walking Dead, to be exact) but hopefully won't take you as long, especially if you have a normal size mantel. But it's not like it's hard work, or even tedious. Just time consuming. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Start off by making a ton of pom poms. Here's how: </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">First, you cut out two identical circles out of cardboard. The bigger the circle, the bigger the pom pom. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ad7KKI_PsOA/Tt7zhzsBzQI/AAAAAAAABEA/NqyvN4dGZoo/s1600/IMG_5962.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ad7KKI_PsOA/Tt7zhzsBzQI/AAAAAAAABEA/NqyvN4dGZoo/s400/IMG_5962.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, you put the circles together and wrap yarn around it. Make sure the ends are facing out, not inside the circle. I used three pieces of yarn put together to help speed up the process. Each piece of yarn was probably about 3 or 4 yards long. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J7G1ou3ldZI/Tt7ziAcUelI/AAAAAAAABEI/OQS3XlCmtJI/s1600/IMG_5963.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J7G1ou3ldZI/Tt7ziAcUelI/AAAAAAAABEI/OQS3XlCmtJI/s400/IMG_5963.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep wrapping it around until the circle is completely covered. The more you wrap, the bigger and fuller your pom will be. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5peUyB3gG0/Tt7zikf1YLI/AAAAAAAABEQ/xlE1wIu965Q/s1600/IMG_5965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5peUyB3gG0/Tt7zikf1YLI/AAAAAAAABEQ/xlE1wIu965Q/s400/IMG_5965.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the somewhat tricky part. (Especially when you only have two hands and need to take a picture too!) Cut the yarn along the outside. You'll have to keep your hands on the inside where you've cut to keep it from falling everywhere. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oB6Zs2Esbk0/Tt7zi7xpaSI/AAAAAAAABEY/5-FoWc7MyCM/s1600/IMG_5966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oB6Zs2Esbk0/Tt7zi7xpaSI/AAAAAAAABEY/5-FoWc7MyCM/s400/IMG_5966.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once it's cut, slide a long piece of yarn between the two circles and tie it very tight. Double knot it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72aRb9dCEhU/Tt7zjWdu9RI/AAAAAAAABEg/AIBuwooZ7gs/s1600/IMG_5967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72aRb9dCEhU/Tt7zjWdu9RI/AAAAAAAABEg/AIBuwooZ7gs/s400/IMG_5967.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You'll have some random long pieces so you'll need to give it a bit of a hair cut. Fluff it up too. </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y3ndTbSL2fQ/Tt7zjqg8FuI/AAAAAAAABEo/VLX6QExCyfU/s1600/IMG_5968.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y3ndTbSL2fQ/Tt7zjqg8FuI/AAAAAAAABEo/VLX6QExCyfU/s400/IMG_5968.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once you have all the pom poms you'll need,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B8T6RB-l1kc/Tt7ze3gkrHI/AAAAAAAABDA/hKxRRBJfqZY/s1600/IMG_5948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B8T6RB-l1kc/Tt7ze3gkrHI/AAAAAAAABDA/hKxRRBJfqZY/s400/IMG_5948.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Take a needle and yarn and thread it through each one. (Note the cute baby in the background. He's not a necessary step in this process, but he makes everything more fun!)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hXv7JkAYl2w/Tt7zfBrZD5I/AAAAAAAABDI/FnJKYjQ5X2A/s1600/IMG_5951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hXv7JkAYl2w/Tt7zfBrZD5I/AAAAAAAABDI/FnJKYjQ5X2A/s400/IMG_5951.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mbU6E2v13NM/Tt7zfVQNAzI/AAAAAAAABDQ/4tqY9c19Zwk/s1600/IMG_5952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mbU6E2v13NM/Tt7zfVQNAzI/AAAAAAAABDQ/4tqY9c19Zwk/s400/IMG_5952.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think this could also double as a really cute caterpillar! </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I used some 3M removable clear plastic hooks, stuck them on the underside of the mantel, and hung the garland, spacing out the pom poms as needed. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTAJUsed_0Q/Tt7zgeppldI/AAAAAAAABDo/NYC3zsHC0Lk/s1600/IMG_5955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTAJUsed_0Q/Tt7zgeppldI/AAAAAAAABDo/NYC3zsHC0Lk/s400/IMG_5955.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think it's a fun, simple little project. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9QpCx2AMxc/Tt7zhLofHFI/AAAAAAAABDw/oj9M1cijz2w/s1600/IMG_5956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9QpCx2AMxc/Tt7zhLofHFI/AAAAAAAABDw/oj9M1cijz2w/s400/IMG_5956.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I kind of love that it looks homemade and isn't perfect. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZR8dfemVSc/Tt7zhaQu_3I/AAAAAAAABD4/6xNnQ88yA5Q/s1600/IMG_5957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZR8dfemVSc/Tt7zhaQu_3I/AAAAAAAABD4/6xNnQ88yA5Q/s400/IMG_5957.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I still need to add a ton of Christmas decorations to the mantel, and the rest of the house, but I'll get there. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W2IdAHby0GQ/Tt7zkENyamI/AAAAAAAABEw/lQM0dkPohlo/s1600/IMG_5971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W2IdAHby0GQ/Tt7zkENyamI/AAAAAAAABEw/lQM0dkPohlo/s400/IMG_5971.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Seymour", our Elf on the Shelf even helped! </span></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=b815c04b-8017-4ab7-9078-d8d58d3284e2" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></span></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-25692594425933161002011-11-22T09:54:00.000-07:002011-11-22T09:54:41.383-07:003<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You guys are probably going to think I'm really weird, but whatever. Somehow I figured out that for 3 days this week, I'll be 33, Eric will be 33, Jackson will be 3 and Gavin will be 3 months. From November 25th (my birthday, when I turn 33) to November 28, (when Gavin turns 4 months). I feel like we need to do something about it. Like, go to Vegas and put it all on 3. ("all" being, about $15) What do you guys think? What could we do?</span></span>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-79984892916106843942011-11-21T13:48:00.013-07:002011-11-21T15:00:05.523-07:00Mile High Momday: Traveling with young children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlCgVXJu4so/TsqpY0dBuKI/AAAAAAAABC4/apXTthK_H-A/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gT58jpMMkg/TsqeVxA_gxI/AAAAAAAABCw/A2kxIL5CV78/s1600/ringpop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gT58jpMMkg/TsqeVxA_gxI/AAAAAAAABCw/A2kxIL5CV78/s400/ringpop.jpg" width="297" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Air travel is a royal pain, no matter who you are flying with, but with young children, it's an anxiety attack just waiting to happen. In Jackson's 41 months of life, he has been on an airplane over 20 times. Gavin is three months old and has been on an airplane twice. Air travel is one of the major downfalls of moving far away from your family. I'm certainly no expert on air travel with kids, but I feel like I've done it enough to offer up some suggestions and also share my mistakes.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuP0IroWKBs/TsqeT7hP-uI/AAAAAAAABCg/uoxY37sGqEc/s1600/photo3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuP0IroWKBs/TsqeT7hP-uI/AAAAAAAABCg/uoxY37sGqEc/s400/photo3.JPG" width="298" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gavin's first flight at two months</span><b><br />
</b> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Traveling with babies</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In my experience, babies are a piece of cake to travel with. (It's the toddler that gives me hives.) They are really just like an extra carry on, just make sure you have plenty of bottles if you bottle feed, and pacifiers, if you use those. If you are nursing, even better. Less stuff to carry. I also always bring plenty of diapers, wipes and burp cloths, a change of clothes for baby, and some Tylenol, just in case. (When Jackson was a baby, he spiked a scary high fever, mid air. I was so thankful that I packed the Tylenol!) I've learned to skip the stroller, and just wear the baby. When the baby is a little bigger (too big to carry the whole time, but too small to walk on his own) I'll probably bring a small stroller again. For us formula moms I buy a bottle of room temperature water once I'm past security, and make sure I have WAY more than enough formula to last the whole airplane ride. You don't want to be stuck on the runway for hours and run out of formula! If you have an infant car seat waiting for you wherever you are traveling to, then leave your car seat at home, if not, check it with your bags. It's free with all airlines. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Car seats</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the most important piece of advice I can offer when traveling with a toddler. <b>Bring your car seat on the plane with you! </b>First of all,<a href="http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/"> it's safer. </a>It's not <a href="http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=29&p_sid=jORxNHJk&p_created=1071174367&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0mcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MQ%21%21">required by law</a>, but I strongly suggest it and here's why. My son knows exactly what to expect and how to behave in his <a href="http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=28&p_created=1071174189&p_sid=jORxNHJk&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0mcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MQ%21%21">car seat</a>. He knows that you just sit there. You can't get up and move around. When he is in an airplane seat, with no car seat, he wants to get up and move around. Even when, no, <i>especially when</i>, the fasten seat belt sign is on. I've had him sit on my lap, he wants to get up. I've had him in his own seat with the airplane seat belt on, he wants to get up. In his car seat? He sits. I bought a car seat bag with wheels at Babies-R-Us like <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2960524" target="_blank">this one.</a> I</span><span style="font-size: large;">t has really helped to get around the airport. The only behavior issues I've had with him on a plane were when we didn't buy a seat and put his car seat in it. Speaking of buying a seat....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">To buy a seat or not to buy a seat</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until they turn 2, your child can travel for free as a lap child. You <i>can</i></span> <span style="font-size: large;">purchase a seat for them, but it's not required. After their 2nd birthday, you have no choice. And you pay full price. We fully used "kids fly free until 2" to our advantage. But we were still able to use our car seat tactic several times, without buying a seat. When you check in, if the flight isn't fully booked, you can ask to be seated next to an empty seat, and they will let you put the car seat there. They will probably make you wait until the last minute before they tell you it's okay, meaning that you'll have to carry the car seat all the way to the gate. And there is a chance they won't give you a seat, so you'll have to gate check the car seat. I think it's worth lugging the seat all the way to the gate for a chance to have them in their car seat for the trip. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gate Passes</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are traveling alone with young kids, I suggest asking your airline for a gate pass. When you check in, you can ask for a pass for someone to go all the way to the gate with you. They will only do this if the security level is low. The person helping you will need to show ID at <a href="http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm">security</a>, and about half the time I ask for a gate pass, they give me attitude about it. But that's what gate passes are for, and it's a tremendous help to me, so I can deal with a little bit of attitude. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Try to not have layovers</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You might think that a couple, shorter flights would be better than one big long flight. But in my experience, that's not the case. The hardest part is getting on and off the plane, so you want to do that as few times as possible. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">When to travel</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You also might think that traveling late at night is best because then your child will sleep, but my experience has taught me to travel during the day, when you child is in a good mood. When we have traveled at night, not only does my toddler<i> not </i>sleep because he's in a new place, doing new things, but he's also in a really foul mood. Not a good combo. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What to bring</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a word, everything. I'm all about packing light and easy, but when you're traveling with a toddler, you don't want to run out of things to do or eat. I try to pack a lot of different kinds of snacks, and buy a container of milk after security. (<a href="http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm#formula">You can actually go through security with a liquid when traveling with children, they will just have to test it.</a> I find it easier to just buy a new one.) You're definitely going to want something to drink during take off and landing to help their ears pop. You don't want to wait for them to serve beverages to get your little one a drink. If your toddler still has a pacifier, definitely have it ready on the plane too. Suckers can work instead of drinks of pacifiers too. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etri3Pregn0/TsqeKhwte9I/AAAAAAAABBw/FzlbLjM9HHg/s1600/headphones.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etri3Pregn0/TsqeKhwte9I/AAAAAAAABBw/FzlbLjM9HHg/s400/headphones.jpg" width="297" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as activities, one of my number one things to look for in an airline is if they have tv's. The airline we usually fly has tv's on the back of every seat. I have a pair of kid headphones that Jackson wears, and that will keep him happy for much of the trip. It's the best $6 you will ever spend. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEQpIydFnUs/TsqeCYI89xI/AAAAAAAABBo/WjLs51XQ_sk/s1600/airplane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEQpIydFnUs/TsqeCYI89xI/AAAAAAAABBo/WjLs51XQ_sk/s400/airplane.jpg" width="300" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also make sure to have small things to keep his attention, in case he doesn't want tv. Jackson isn't really into coloring, so I don't bring crayons, but he loves matchbox cars and planes, so I bring lots of those. Books and small puzzles are fun too. He is REALLY into airplanes and how they work, so he honestly spends <i>most</i> of his time talking about different parts of the plane, how they work, the different workers on the plane and what they do. (He knows about the fuselage, cockpit, wings, tail and wheels and some basics on how the plane flies using thrust and lift and stuff I don't understand. Like I said, he has an exceptional interest in planes and a daddy who has an exceptional<i> knowledge</i> of planes.) His constant talking about planes usually keeps his neighbors entertained too. (Except when, like on our last trip home, he saw the red light on the wing blinking and yelled out "The wings on fire! We're going to crash!" His neighbors didn't appreciate that one.) I think his interest in planes really helps us have good flights with him. If your kiddo isn't as interested as my son, I think at least talking with them about the plane and what to expect and the behavior your expect out of them is a start before getting on the plane. We usually start at least a week out, letting him know that we are going on a plane ride and talking about what to expect and the behavior we want from him. (There are some cartoons and kid's shows about going on plane trips that might be helpful too)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Give them a job</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3WX-6vlgpY/TsqeVDE3M8I/AAAAAAAABCo/XIK1GWZfVP8/s1600/photo4.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3WX-6vlgpY/TsqeVDE3M8I/AAAAAAAABCo/XIK1GWZfVP8/s400/photo4.PNG" width="266" /></a></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I always have Jackson pack his carry on. (Of course, I go through and add what I think he'll need) Then I put him in charge of carrying his own carry on. He takes the job very seriously and keeps him from getting distracted at the airport.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">ID</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as having an ID for your child, I can tell you that you should definitely have a birth certificate, or SOMETHING. (We have a passport for Jackson) Although I have never been asked for ID for either child, I have friends who haven't brought anything and were told they couldn't board the plane. So bring something. <br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BRaehmdTBU/TsqeNtL3xOI/AAAAAAAABCQ/_MIR9v90-WM/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Medicine</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like I said in the baby section, I always bring Tylenol or Motrin for both kids (and myself). It's just a good idea in case their ears bother them or they spike a fever or whatever could happen up there. Some people have suggested giving their kids Benadryl. I don't suggest it. We gave it to Jackson when he was 10 months old on our trip to Hawaii and here's what happened:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rmTn_sjicA8/TsqeLbjCUVI/AAAAAAAABB4/a1RgL_Su-44/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rmTn_sjicA8/TsqeLbjCUVI/AAAAAAAABB4/a1RgL_Su-44/s400/IMG_0239.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He cried until we took him out of the car seat</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nbLoJoeKapQ/TsqeMGlxyNI/AAAAAAAABCA/AsnB_uZnlsg/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nbLoJoeKapQ/TsqeMGlxyNI/AAAAAAAABCA/AsnB_uZnlsg/s400/IMG_0240.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He sat on our laps for 5 hours, exhausted, but wired from the Benadryl.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjBmrOpDIsE/TsqeR1dpc6I/AAAAAAAABCY/VtBaj4ayUec/s1600/photo2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjBmrOpDIsE/TsqeR1dpc6I/AAAAAAAABCY/VtBaj4ayUec/s400/photo2.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So tired he can't see straight.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He fell asleep as we were landing. Literally, when the wheels touched down.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see the Benadryl had the opposite effect on him. We even tried it out at home before and he went to sleep. But for whatever reason, on the airplane, it made him hyper and tired at the same time. Not good.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Traveling with young kids is very stressful. I've been the annoyed passenger, as well as the annoying passenger with a screaming kid. All we can do is our best. And if your child isn't behaving, just take a deep breath (and maybe a strong drink) and realize that you'll probably never see these people again!</span></span>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-59892875528383770912011-11-17T12:24:00.001-07:002011-11-17T12:27:51.961-07:00Thanks, but no thanks<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know I'm going to piss off a lot of Grandmas and good ol' fashion southern and midwestern ladies with this one. But, I'm just going to say it. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think thank you cards are stupid! (You can unclench now)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I KNOW! I know. It's the "right" thing to do. If someone takes the time to get you a gift or do something nice for you, the least you can do is formally thank them in writing. But I also feel that getting some sort of form letter type thank you card that I know they sent to a million other people and only changed the name and the gift, and only did it because they would feel bad if they didn't do it, doesn't feel genuine anyway. And even those that <i>are</i> genuine don't make me feel any better about a gift I gave or something I did for them. If I give someone a gift or do something nice for someone, it's because I want to. Not because I want a thank you out of the deal. To be honest, we went to probably 15 different birthday parties this summer. I have NO IDEA who I got thank you cards from and who I didn't. I've heard so many women (because I've never actually gotten a thank you card from a man alone, it's always the woman) complain or feel stress about sending thank you's. It's an unnecessary stress. You said thank you at the party. I'm fine with that. And besides, I suck at sending them. Seriously, so bad. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I honestly don't think that makes people more or less grateful for the gifts. You are either thankful and like it, or you aren't. The thank you card in no way reflects your true feelings on the gift. People send thank you's even when they hate the gift. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dear Great Aunt Bertha,</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> Thank you so much for the pink Winnie-The-Pooh baby blanket. My baby boy Gavin looks so cute wrapped in it. Hope your hemorrhoid surgery goes well. Miss you!</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love, </i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Michele</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is, of course, happens only after Great Aunt Bertha asked your mom to ask you if you "got the present". (code for: "I haven't gotten a thank you card yet.....I'm keeping track!" while shaking her finger)</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, here's my new deal. If you are really thankful, you can just tell me "thanks". I'll believe you. You can thank me in person, you can send me a card, you can call me, or text, or email, or facebook. Or, you can not thank me at all. I probably won't notice if I don't get a thanks, to be honest. I'm not saying I'll never send thank you cards out again. I probably will. I will still try. Or still <a href="http://bestmilehighmom.blogspot.com/2011/11/one-about-feeling-guilty.html">feel guilty</a> for not sending them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And to everyone that has ever gotten me anything or done anything nice for me and I didn't get you a card? Thank you. Seriously. I loved it. </span></span>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-18125006830978555612011-11-09T06:00:00.005-07:002011-11-09T06:00:09.972-07:00DIY Glass Etching<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61BNwjGJ8TQ/TrnSr67LnnI/AAAAAAAAA_8/sNhbEuvZ7TA/s1600/IMG_5510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61BNwjGJ8TQ/TrnSr67LnnI/AAAAAAAAA_8/sNhbEuvZ7TA/s400/IMG_5510.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know what you're thinking. "Glass etching, Michele? Really? Isn't that for, like robots with lasers or something?" It's really not too difficult though, especially now that I've already made all of the mistakes for you! Up until yesterday, I didn't realize how easy it actually was to etch glass. </span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It started off with an oil bottle at Walmart for $3, that was just plain glass. I thought I'd use it to keep my dish soap in, so I could keep it out on the counter. But plain glass? That's kind of boring. So I decided to change it up, ever so subtly. Here's what I did to etch my own drawing into this glass bottle. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have a plate that hangs on my kitchen wall. I love the look of this plate and wanted to replicate the general idea on my bottle. So I cut a piece of vinyl that I got at Hobby Lobby. (It came in a big roll, near the Cricut stuff) and drew my vine/leaf looking picture right on the vinyl. Then I taped the vinyl to a self healing mat and cut away my picture with an exacto knife. </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehrm_gf5o6w/Trm4RnPFDiI/AAAAAAAAA9w/iEYFOrACUNw/s1600/IMG_5481.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehrm_gf5o6w/Trm4RnPFDiI/AAAAAAAAA9w/iEYFOrACUNw/s400/IMG_5481.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then I took the backing off of the vinyl and placed it on my glass bottle. Make sure you really press it down good and there aren't any bubbles. Especially near the edges where the etching will be. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2Ya8mHMEYc/Trm4R7x15ZI/AAAAAAAAA94/6LKYzP_1EdA/s1600/IMG_5482.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2Ya8mHMEYc/Trm4R7x15ZI/AAAAAAAAA94/6LKYzP_1EdA/s400/IMG_5482.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUEBZR612YU/Trm66HS8unI/AAAAAAAAA-g/3G1LnMoJy8Y/s1600/IMG_5519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I took the glass etching cream... </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUEBZR612YU/Trm66HS8unI/AAAAAAAAA-g/3G1LnMoJy8Y/s1600/IMG_5519.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUEBZR612YU/Trm66HS8unI/AAAAAAAAA-g/3G1LnMoJy8Y/s400/IMG_5519.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I used Armour Etch from Hobby Lobby.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">...and applied it liberally with a paintbrush to the vinyl, where the glass was showing through. Be careful with this step. This actually etches the glass, it's NOT paint. And it WILL etch wherever the cream is. Then I set the timer for 20 minutes and waited. (The directions on the bottle said 5 minutes, but I felt like after 5 minutes on my test piece the stuff barely scratched the surface....no pun intended....so I left it on for a while longer)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nz38BmHLbqQ/Trm4SNjUzkI/AAAAAAAAA-A/NLRKlq1dPWQ/s1600/IMG_5483.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nz38BmHLbqQ/Trm4SNjUzkI/AAAAAAAAA-A/NLRKlq1dPWQ/s400/IMG_5483.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When the 20 minutes was up, I rinsed the cream off and peeled off the vinyl. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InjnEhZE-cI/Trm4ST37HkI/AAAAAAAAA-I/VpyhEZPluNQ/s1600/IMG_5484.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InjnEhZE-cI/Trm4ST37HkI/AAAAAAAAA-I/VpyhEZPluNQ/s400/IMG_5484.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tada! It's definitely subtle and understated, but I still think it turned out pretty good. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIx0g0exXpM/Trm4SmbqG_I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/W4OZEJbbmQc/s1600/IMG_5498.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIx0g0exXpM/Trm4SmbqG_I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/W4OZEJbbmQc/s400/IMG_5498.jpg" width="211" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InjnEhZE-cI/Trm4ST37HkI/AAAAAAAAA-I/VpyhEZPluNQ/s1600/IMG_5484.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here it is with the dish soap in it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgsHO4hwMpQ/Trm8mbZ4xUI/AAAAAAAAA-o/lNUwEABUcjc/s1600/IMG_5515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgsHO4hwMpQ/Trm8mbZ4xUI/AAAAAAAAA-o/lNUwEABUcjc/s400/IMG_5515.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the other project I did, I got a plain glass plate to make a holiday cookie plate. I got a set of big letter stencils and a snowflake shaped hole puncher. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G0aTJnEsCRw/Trm4MZ3ri_I/AAAAAAAAA9g/lJo7xj-5hpg/s1600/IMG_5469.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G0aTJnEsCRw/Trm4MZ3ri_I/AAAAAAAAA9g/lJo7xj-5hpg/s400/IMG_5469.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nz38BmHLbqQ/Trm4SNjUzkI/AAAAAAAAA-A/NLRKlq1dPWQ/s1600/IMG_5483.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgGYOGxcIMA/Trm4MyrGHxI/AAAAAAAAA9o/9eo4XSIxLXM/s1600/IMG_5471.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgGYOGxcIMA/Trm4MyrGHxI/AAAAAAAAA9o/9eo4XSIxLXM/s400/IMG_5471.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My lovely assistant. He's cute and all, but this really isn't a kid friendly craft, so I did it when he was sleeping.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's the part where I tell you what <span style="color: red;">NOT</span> to do. <span style="color: red;">DON'T</span> try to just tape the stencil to the plate and put the etching cream on. Your etching cream WILL seep through the stencil and look terrible. </span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4-WejyNYsM/TrnC8seVCyI/AAAAAAAAA_I/SMxuY-MKtSY/s1600/IMG_5478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJa1mJdXNGc/TrnBa5gp84I/AAAAAAAAA-w/b94PydYAAIs/s400/DON%2527T+DO+THIS.jpg" width="400" /> </a> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is what you CAN do. If you have a Cricut machine (which I don't) you can use it to cut your vinyl in any letter or shape or whatever picture that amazing machine can make. This would definitely be the preferred choice. But for those of us unfortunate folk that don't have fancy machines, there are a couple other options. You can either put your stencil on your vinyl and exacto knife trace it to make a vinyl stencil. (Like I did on the soap bottle)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4-WejyNYsM/TrnC8seVCyI/AAAAAAAAA_I/SMxuY-MKtSY/s1600/IMG_5478.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4-WejyNYsM/TrnC8seVCyI/AAAAAAAAA_I/SMxuY-MKtSY/s400/IMG_5478.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hb0G9ZsLZGs/TrnCbzkXKcI/AAAAAAAAA-4/us06f7_KKKE/s1600/IMG_5478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AwF2LAyZfw/TrnC_Jdy7yI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/JncvQrjPl3s/s1600/IMG_5480.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AwF2LAyZfw/TrnC_Jdy7yI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/JncvQrjPl3s/s400/IMG_5480.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In hind sight, I should have reversed the stencil. This "B" would only go on the top of the plate, and I am doing the etching from the bottom of the plate.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6iCym9glLA/TrnCcaBseII/AAAAAAAAA_A/KDbHNniLinI/s1600/IMG_5480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSeMCaLUgpA/TrnD97UFlHI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/zoZCm7jrurM/s1600/IMG_5518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">OR, you can use some spray adhesive and spray the stencil to stick it to the plate.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSeMCaLUgpA/TrnD97UFlHI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/zoZCm7jrurM/s1600/IMG_5518.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSeMCaLUgpA/TrnD97UFlHI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/zoZCm7jrurM/s400/IMG_5518.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I used Tree House spray adhesive from Hobby Lobby.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make sure you read the directions on your adhesive. This one said to spray just one surface for a more temporary placement. In this case I sprayed the stencil, NOT the plate. If you spray both you'll run the risk of the stencil not coming off and you'd have a hot mess on on your plate. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I did my stencil on the back side of the plate. I didn't want to compromise the integrity of the top of the plate, even though I'll probably just use it for cookies. I sprayed the stencil with the adhesive, let it sit for 1 minutes (like the directions said) then put it on the plate and made sure I really pushed down on all of the edges to keep the cream from bleeding. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then I cut out all of my snowflakes with my hole punch. I cut it right out of the vinyl.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW9JX_UXpcM/TrnSiGyxyQI/AAAAAAAAA_g/FDG3ciFz-8Q/s1600/IMG_5476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW9JX_UXpcM/TrnSiGyxyQI/AAAAAAAAA_g/FDG3ciFz-8Q/s400/IMG_5476.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And put a ton of those on the plate too. Really making sure to push it down to the glass. This was the most tedious process of this project.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-985IuspS6oY/TrnSp0OT7nI/AAAAAAAAA_o/OaesP3lFRw0/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-985IuspS6oY/TrnSp0OT7nI/AAAAAAAAA_o/OaesP3lFRw0/s400/IMG_5507.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then I apply the etching cream and wait 20 minutes. (By the time I finished applying the cream to all of the little snowflakes, the cream had been sitting on the letter B for probably 10 minutes already. It's okay though. It turned out even.)</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9U_cSpyhrX8/TrnSqVvGHwI/AAAAAAAAA_w/14Xnt_mTSi4/s1600/IMG_5508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9U_cSpyhrX8/TrnSqVvGHwI/AAAAAAAAA_w/14Xnt_mTSi4/s400/IMG_5508.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then I rinsed and took off all of the vinyl and the stencil. The vinyl I threw away, but you can definitely reuse that stencil. I used some Goo Gone to get the adhesive off. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ario7G0L58/TrnSrfgUOhI/AAAAAAAAA_0/8_4d8uN2EGE/s1600/IMG_5509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ario7G0L58/TrnSrfgUOhI/AAAAAAAAA_0/8_4d8uN2EGE/s400/IMG_5509.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And there you have it....</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61BNwjGJ8TQ/TrnSr67LnnI/AAAAAAAAA_8/sNhbEuvZ7TA/s1600/IMG_5510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61BNwjGJ8TQ/TrnSr67LnnI/AAAAAAAAA_8/sNhbEuvZ7TA/s400/IMG_5510.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was tough getting a good picture, because it is so reflective. Here it is in less light.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GhicuTsYorY/TrnSsnYyDgI/AAAAAAAABAI/e1fciiQhVME/s1600/IMG_5514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GhicuTsYorY/TrnSsnYyDgI/AAAAAAAABAI/e1fciiQhVME/s320/IMG_5514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usually at the holidays, I make a plate of goodies for each of my neighbors. I was thinking of making these plates with the family's last name initial on them. It might also be cute to etch something in a glass loaf pan and bake pumpkin bread</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">in it and give that as a gift. The possibilities are endless, really. I keep looking around my house for more stuff I can etch!</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">P.S. I've had several requests for me to sell my wrap watch on my etsy site, so <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85666115/wrap-watch-with-bracelet">here it is! </a></span></span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmaAMlxT0zI/TrnV4-MUvRI/AAAAAAAABAQ/qAtyx6FCtxo/s1600/IMG_5207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmaAMlxT0zI/TrnV4-MUvRI/AAAAAAAABAQ/qAtyx6FCtxo/s320/IMG_5207.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-31212495138026431202011-11-07T11:13:00.000-07:002011-11-07T11:13:33.529-07:00Mile High Momday: Being Thankful<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's November. Which means that it's almost Thanksgiving. And as much as I love a good Thanksgiving meal, I'm pretty sure that the </span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">real</i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> point of Thanksgiving is to be thankful. I'm not going to lie. I've been having a pity party for myself lately. I've been focusing more on the negative, which really isn't who I am. So, I thought it might do me some good (and possibly YOU some good too) to take this month to focus on what I am thankful for. Everything from really deep meaningful things (like family and friends) to somewhat petty things (like my awesome bed and Starbucks). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'll post once a week, with a week's worth of thanks. (In no particular order) </span></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. My kids. I mean, really. They are amazingly incredible. I couldn't ask for two more perfect children. (And even when they aren't acting perfect, I still love them like crazy)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. My husband. He is a great provider and dad.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. My friends. I feel so lucky to have the good friends I do. Especially lately. There have been a few friends of mine that have been really supportive, even when I'm a hot mess.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. My family. I'm so lucky to have two sets of amazing family. My biological family and my in-laws. (BTW, I feel terrible for those women out there that don't get along with their in-laws, cause mine are awesome and supportive and everything your in-laws should be. OMG, have you seen that "monster in-laws" show on A&E. I can't even imagine!)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. My bed. I have the most comfortable bed ever. Unfortunately, I don't get to spend nearly as much time in it as I would like.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. My family's health. My husband is having surgery this week, but fortunately, it's only on his knee. Nothing life threatening. And we are all healthy, which is something I really am thankful for every single day. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. Starbucks. Sometimes, that's the only thing that helps. </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">P.S. I have a DIY coming up that I wanted to get finished for today, but I'm not quite ready yet, so I'm posting this instead. But keep your eyes peeled. My DIY will make great gifts!</span></span></i>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-20292583763636533852011-11-04T06:00:00.003-06:002011-11-04T06:00:12.381-06:00Pumping<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now that cold weather is coming our way (okay, it's actually here already in Denver) it reminds me how much I hate pumping gas in the cold. And it is made so much worse by the incessant questioning by the pump.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Pay at the pump or inside</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">pump</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Are you a City Market Customer?</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">no</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Credit or Debit?</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Debit</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Type your pin number</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Car wash?</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">NO</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Would you like a receipt? </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">NO! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">OH-MY-GOD-I-JUST-WANT-TO-STOP-PUSHING-BUTTONS-AND-PUT-GAS-IN-MY-CAR!!!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BTW, this was my 200th post. Very anti-climactic for such a big milestone, huh? </span></i>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668269826674357339.post-53035791046119163442011-11-02T16:29:00.000-06:002011-11-02T16:29:19.882-06:00Fall Pinterest Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6FAC_cHbwk/TrHAqC1BbhI/AAAAAAAAA84/a5Lo0WxIPvY/s1600/fall-challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6FAC_cHbwk/TrHAqC1BbhI/AAAAAAAAA84/a5Lo0WxIPvY/s400/fall-challenge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you know, I'm slightly obsessed with <a href="http://pinterest./">Pinterest.</a> It's where I get a lot of inspiration for my projects. A fun group of Pinterest loving bloggers have put out the challenge of finding something you love on Pinterest and actually making it. Less pinning, more DOING! If you like the DIY stuff I do on my blog, you should definitely check out the projects these ladies are doing too!</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/11/fall-pinterest-challenge-ornaments-a-plenty/">Young House Love</a> (Where I found the challenge and tons of other amazing stuff! It's one of my favorite blogs)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And check out <a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/2011/11/pinterest-challenge-project-antiqued-window/">Power Bower Blog</a> for a cool antique glass window.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ana's at <a href="http://ana-white.com/">Ana White Homemaker </a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And Erin at </span><a href="http://www.houseofearnest.com/2011/11/02/a-little-gold-lining-for-your-wednesday/" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">House of Earnest</a></span>Mile High Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109816351212049191noreply@blogger.com0