tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92195006145087028842024-02-18T21:29:11.701-08:00door knobs and bruisesMgb6HB6lriIUXp4crJx5yleUXiEdoor knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-63417058099861754512012-01-10T14:36:00.001-08:002012-01-10T14:36:58.958-08:00PCOS sucks. That is all.Dear PCOS, <br />
You suck. Thats all I have to say. But, I will say more. I will stand up loud and proud and tell you that you are not welcome in my body. I know you wont listen. See, you are a mean mama jama that has a mind of her own. Well, just so you know, I too have a mind of my own and I am a stubborn hard headed girl who has hopes to live a life full of fun and no pain brought on by you. I have plans to lose this weight that you caused me to gain. Oh, I'm losing it alright and I am also going to get a hold of this depression, acne, not sleeping and joint pain too. Oh yes, it's happening. See, I need to be available for my kids school field trips, sons cub scout event and my boys baseball games. I don't need you hanging about ruining my workout plans, or any plans for that matter. You are a pain in my ass and I'm tired of you. I think it's been long enough now that you can just go your merry way and leave me alone. <br />
I have lived with you long enough and your rent is no longer accepted. I'm officially sending you an eviction notice. Effective THIS INSTANT. While you pack your bags and never look back, please return my size 6 jeans, glowing skin, thicker hair, happy go lucky attitude. Return the me who didn't have to worry about sweating in public. The me who dint think twice about what I was wearing because everything looked good. The me who's ambition was not faltered and energy was through the roof. The me who didn't think people were looking at me because of my quick weight gain, rather they were looking at me because of my cute fashion sense. I expect to get myself back. I give you 6 months to give the real me back....but, you are evicted. K, bye.door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-41552558550369798942011-11-28T16:53:00.001-08:002011-11-28T18:22:35.086-08:00what you may not know<div style="text-align: center;">
PCOS BITES.</div>
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as you know i was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome back in september. i am on a mission to heal me naturally. do not get that confused with me being cured. pcos is not a syndrome in which you can be cured. i can however, control my symptoms by natural means. so, that's what i'm doing.</div>
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first, i started taking <a href="http://erikakey.bodybyvi.com/">ViSalus</a> which you have all read about. i drink 2 shakes daily. i have started eating clean and as close as the <a href="http://www.paleoplan.com/?gclid=COjB-5vV2qwCFY2b7QodiWS4pQ">paleo</a> way of eating as i can. i have cut out <a href="http://fittipdaily.wordpress.com/category/just-say-no-to-white-foods/">white foods</a> because for me personally they cause me to get sick. maybe not to my stomach per say, but they make me break out with cystic acne, tend to make me go on a frenzy of wanting more more more and i just don't need that.</div>
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lets talk about why pcos is a beyatch...</div>
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first, off, have you ever stood in line and felt sweat dripping down your back or your leg and you are in the air conditioning? have you ever had to change your clothes because they are drenched and you haven't had a water fight or worked out...or better yet, and it's in the dead of winter....</div>
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do you feel like you HAVE GOT TO HAVE carbs or sugary foods or you will bite someones head off and deep down you are hoping they have a chocolaty filled center? do you periodically look [or constantly] in the mirror at yourself and swear you see a hormone raging teenage boy? these are just the tip of the ice burg. i've only just begun. but, i will stop there because i'm over it.</div>
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i no longer have heat stroke in winter BUT i am looking like a hormonal teenage boy. yes. acne. cystic acne. do you even know what that is? let me <a href="http://www.acne.org/types-of-acne.html">show you</a> what my problem is and how bad it can get. i have areas of concern that look like vulgaris, conglobata and even fulminans. i've started using <a href="http://www.obagi.com/patients/product-line/clenziderm-md">obagi clenziderm</a> and it's fabulous. it doesn't dry my face out and it actually puts the moisture in. </div>
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i have met the sweetest women these last few months that have really been a supportive structure for me. together we are making our voices heard. we are helping each other, supporting one another and making friendships that i have no doubt will last a lifetime. my <a href="http://cystersofhope.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/being-thankful-even-with-pcos/">cysters</a> are my family now and i can't imagine my life without them!</div>
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till next time </div>
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xoxoxo</div>
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cyster erika</div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-52754754507138924982011-11-20T19:33:00.001-08:002011-11-20T19:36:58.681-08:00Update...<div style="text-align: center;">
holy cow!</div>
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i am here to share that i'm down 30lbs since march! i'm sporting a size 10 and some 8's. i WAS a size 18 folks! i am just so happy with how my health has improved in 60 days! </div>
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pcos is a thing of the past. i still have it because it's not something you can cure, but i don't feel it! check my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Door-Knobs-Bruises/153040394780100">facebook</a> page and you can see my progress! =)</div>
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toodles!!!!</div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-66832779419883277862011-10-22T19:38:00.000-07:002011-10-22T19:38:30.644-07:00taking a break<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i'll be back...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">hi peeps!! sorry i've been MIA...i have some great news to share!! i have officially started my own photography business!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">yes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">did!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it's called lock and key photography and i've been really busy with sessions and editing i haven't had time for much else [PTL for a blessed business!]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you can follow me on facebook!! click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lock-and-Key-Photography/287132291304676">here</a> to go to my page and see what i've been up to!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i hope to be able to juggle all of this...so far, so good!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">here's my favorite picture that i've snapped lately!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoboMzXUTXrwjRyIbwD7OVCwbMmpCfybhxuDlyyAaZ0s_zR0cmC3QkDZmCeb_Uj_Y0cziUxMy7jsfEqwpD4wLchl9KUsuD4WP0vf4uXC3mUiS7oeJwnvavdxS90EpEEtyA7ehu5cwoFU/s1600/embrace+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoboMzXUTXrwjRyIbwD7OVCwbMmpCfybhxuDlyyAaZ0s_zR0cmC3QkDZmCeb_Uj_Y0cziUxMy7jsfEqwpD4wLchl9KUsuD4WP0vf4uXC3mUiS7oeJwnvavdxS90EpEEtyA7ehu5cwoFU/s400/embrace+watermark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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first engagement session! it was F-U-N!!!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">xoxoxo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">erika</span></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-20838905205582350762011-10-01T09:41:00.000-07:002011-10-01T09:43:05.973-07:00ViSalus...it's no joke!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">a picture's worth a thousand words...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, you've all read my posts about me going through my pcos diagnosis. if you don't recall my personal <a href="http://doorknobsandbruises.blogspot.com/search/label/goodbye%20granny%20hello%20nanny">hell</a> you'll proly want to refresh your memory...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">here's the thing. i have tried EVERYTHING to lose weight. really. i have. my hubbie says i have cost us $5,000 a pound. i know he's kidding, but sadly, he's not. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i'm not a lazy person. really, i'm not. but, i was starting to wonder! am i turning into a couch potato? am i going to be one of those fat mommies who will end up on dr oz begging for his help because i'm so large and my kids [even though they won't dare say it] are embarrassed by me? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NO!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WILL</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NOT</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BE</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HER!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, on my last straw, i took the plunge and went to a weight loss clinic after seeing my friend chesley in her beautiful glory.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">she</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">was</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">gorgeous</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">[always has been]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but oh my lord </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">to see her from what she was to what she is now </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">[she was as beautiful on the outside as i always knew she was on the inside]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and i was proud of her!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i had been running miles on end with no success ... something was wrong and i was DONE.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, here i go to this weight loss clinic. i'm not as large as the people i see going in and out of this place. i'm sweating as i walk in. i have just been diagnosed with <a href="http://women.webmd.com/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-symptoms">PCOS</a> [those are just a few of the symptoms i was suffering from] i can't take it anymore. i just can't.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i get my first shot. within a month i lose 11 lbs but i just don't "feel good"...that's when i meet Monica. she introduces me to <a href="http://www.erikakey.bodybyvi.com/">ViSalus</a>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">changes</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">my </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i can honestly tell you i have never felt better.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ever.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">she also introduces me to dr. victoria beckman. who starts giving me shots...these shots are called "cocoon's" ... they are all natural and are basically ViSalus in a shot form. A-mazing. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ViSalus and Cocoon together have brought me back to life. LITERALLY. see, when you have good nutrition, your body thanks you. and, it in ways you just have no can never imagine until you experience it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i was 197 lbs in March. i know. wow.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">at the weight loss clinic i weighed 184 lbs. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i was wearing a TIGHT 14.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i got down to 173...and into a size 12. they too were tight.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">today, i weighed 177. hmmmm you say? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">well...get this...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i'm in a size 8. [10's are still my go to but they are lose lol]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ViSalus is allowing my body to keep my muscle and get rid of my FAT...yup! inches baby inches! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but, here is what i want to show you. it's my skin. i suffer[ED] from cystic acne. it is a thing of the past. there is A LOT more of what i suffered from...but, this is the big one.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">erika before. i had HOPE. i gave all of this to GOD. i knew he was allowing me to go through this for a reason. in fact, when this picture was taken, i was looking up and thinking "dear God please, let this work..."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfFUhm8l33WrnUWHC2KyyqsF2OMDD6GmZnIeRqLuaa5DwMukNwxZaiRZR3dM4647Dk3sSG_390nSMqP_gTJusXXOLeSK0dMLk_7nROGOVZK-jVOqRCM_imc4f97jW9UpkZNOinaMnMo4/s1600/erika+before+cocoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfFUhm8l33WrnUWHC2KyyqsF2OMDD6GmZnIeRqLuaa5DwMukNwxZaiRZR3dM4647Dk3sSG_390nSMqP_gTJusXXOLeSK0dMLk_7nROGOVZK-jVOqRCM_imc4f97jW9UpkZNOinaMnMo4/s400/erika+before+cocoon.jpg" width="363" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i was already taking ViSalus for about 2 weeks, so by now i'm feeling GREAT...my symptoms of PCOS are lowering. i'm sleeping well which is a MIRACLE in itself! but, my face does not show it...picture taken with iPad.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYmt52P-k4QrjjBZurl3GOA-tU__aIexu3HzgnmG9em1kmKODNTbIdJrHRC1ytp7kO9YGTrycxg_BvKi440an8vm86Chixf9uE51lEhUTPdjRLBCTz9hQL8meNxzCQr2jvt132vWaqdc/s1600/erika+before+cocoon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYmt52P-k4QrjjBZurl3GOA-tU__aIexu3HzgnmG9em1kmKODNTbIdJrHRC1ytp7kO9YGTrycxg_BvKi440an8vm86Chixf9uE51lEhUTPdjRLBCTz9hQL8meNxzCQr2jvt132vWaqdc/s400/erika+before+cocoon+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and then...i get my second shot. three days later i wake up and i CRY! i can't BELIEVE my skin....here i am! yes, this is me. the same erika as above. i have a little bit of makeup on. but not much. [i actually had sweat it off lol it was HOT that day!!!] mascara and some bare minerals which is what i was using at the time [future post will be talking about the BEST makeup and skin care line you will WANT to know about!!!] this picture is taken from my iPhone. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ahem...ViSalus folks. Cocoon. [i know u may not be able to get a Cocoon shot unless you live here in prattville...BUT...we are expanding! we do have a clinic in Louisiana, we are expanding to Texas too and future places as well] find us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phoenix-Sky-Wellness-Aesthetics/251008514919346?ref=ts">facebook</a> and keep up with us! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, do you have any medical issues? let's see...diabetes? pcos? chrons? colitis? ms? ra? what if you want to lose weight? or, do you simply want to get healthy and FEEL great?!!! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">seriously, folks. i wouldn't sway you. i am very passionate about Visalus because i mean, it saved my life!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">here's what you do:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">go to <a href="http://www.erikakey.bodybyvi.com/">my site</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">click on join the challenge</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">then, click on join the challenge; become a customer</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you click on what country you are coming from and your language</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">next, you will chose your challenge kit...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i suggest the shape kit which is $99.00 a month [it is the kit i upgraded to because once i started, i realized i never wanted to run out and i was drinking 2 shakes a day instead of 1] and, 2 shakes a day is how i REALLY started seeing and FEELING my results. it really made a difference! [and i add it to the kid's pancake mix and they have come to love their "new pancakes"]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">after you chose your kit, you will click next and fill out your information [billing and such]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you will also create your very own customer page so that you can share ViSalus with others as well! you then, will have the opportunity to receive your next shipment for $$FREE$$ yes. that's right. and, perhaps NEVER pay again! [i know, AMAZING! it's like wow...getting awesome nutrition for free??? yes please!]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">once you have filled all of your information out and started your page, you are done! when you receive your ViSalus, you will log into your account and then click start a challenge...put in a before picture [make sure to take one!!!] and write your story...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">***i have decided that the first 5 people to start the challenge with me [the same challenge --- i started the shape, i am going to personally send them a gift, so, get on it!] we have a 30 day, BOTTOM OF THE BAG money back guarantee, so if you do not like the taste of it [which is really not something that would happen, lol],or you don't feel like it's working like it says it should, you simply call the company and you get your money back. you really have nothing to lose!****</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">i'm no spokesperson. i was a customer for a month. a MONTH. and i became a distributor. i had to. it saved my life. it gave me back what PCOS took. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">so, why not try it? tell me what you think. share it with the ones you love. i just did!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">xoxoxo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">erika</span></div>
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door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-81292474193571136942011-09-30T21:17:00.000-07:002011-09-30T21:17:55.021-07:00say NO to auto!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">i did it!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i said no to auto folks! and i am so happy i did!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">[next, i am totally investing in photo shop!]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, without editing at all, i am going to show you a few things i did these last few days while saying no to auto ...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">first, i learned how to slow down my shutter speed and create the eversocool</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJRz-RS9MlCdYuVVR0xjsX8qIiTpMxdwHLubq7hoQJXoybr5QVuGaSkFpjAuVVc9IEh9uXdE-zLwk9ItYwY18GTHGh92hE9uulrVTAhOgbY3j5xG0zE7P2NftILrWPCXGMwisvyW8HL0/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJRz-RS9MlCdYuVVR0xjsX8qIiTpMxdwHLubq7hoQJXoybr5QVuGaSkFpjAuVVc9IEh9uXdE-zLwk9ItYwY18GTHGh92hE9uulrVTAhOgbY3j5xG0zE7P2NftILrWPCXGMwisvyW8HL0/s400/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and the water was not just dripping.,,, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it was ON! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i was so pleased! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sure, a few photos came out pure white. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a few came out pure black. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but, after playing with the "numbers" i got my beautiful pictures! i can't wait to see how they will turn out when i get photo shop!! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">then, i went to the kids first dance...and didn't even use the flash. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">word.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">[remember...these are straight from my camera...no editing]</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARZX8JUTu3UN8d4PoN9zTjAkS2JTmGFvRAn6YlueO4gIcEGmrCOQdCPwcbJOQLXWX4nhMEimdnmA_RBS8WtOD2dVlsi6zTc-w_otftfAHlUxrR24OhSMyO7WfQ5ZpQMUlvgAjb_j5ec0/s1600/IMG_1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARZX8JUTu3UN8d4PoN9zTjAkS2JTmGFvRAn6YlueO4gIcEGmrCOQdCPwcbJOQLXWX4nhMEimdnmA_RBS8WtOD2dVlsi6zTc-w_otftfAHlUxrR24OhSMyO7WfQ5ZpQMUlvgAjb_j5ec0/s400/IMG_1482.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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i love this picture...miley cyrus was on and even i was dancing lol</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvmKabVDeLiHphMgrGDkk_lrChn6SRUip8qDqZYa3yK1RBf2-B0o_QP5I6cXSvWHBkDLzotU0IVsrouYX9UvfSD5ADVfxwpZqGebEryfwUijrSOdK1K8nddZNGM2fYIN0SuzYoCxJeu8/s1600/IMG_1484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvmKabVDeLiHphMgrGDkk_lrChn6SRUip8qDqZYa3yK1RBf2-B0o_QP5I6cXSvWHBkDLzotU0IVsrouYX9UvfSD5ADVfxwpZqGebEryfwUijrSOdK1K8nddZNGM2fYIN0SuzYoCxJeu8/s400/IMG_1484.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvNhwM55MINPKAlvDZicrSMO6g1F4_TzT-iN4ZuRFTzHvCYFzaxxHYRl6osu41lMeFaIX2lieHp1dVd4mCIOKc_h2Q_QIPjwDGZobQZ3YtN1neRMUN4tV_uw2csaVW3Fg-KMjo-dMWVc/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvNhwM55MINPKAlvDZicrSMO6g1F4_TzT-iN4ZuRFTzHvCYFzaxxHYRl6osu41lMeFaIX2lieHp1dVd4mCIOKc_h2Q_QIPjwDGZobQZ3YtN1neRMUN4tV_uw2csaVW3Fg-KMjo-dMWVc/s400/IMG_1519.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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dance off...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaZjtMfQ1QPNAKp9sBwqkui5MeYEy1tQERQZiHgVS_taNRaFJQxL36TfSEMM5InxvWoLLpntRADU69LyVVFgKb5Y6QjkN5ydOZMi5DueLaOmzxbgCuycxuxSMOZJVrGYeIHntGOZBmLU/s1600/IMG_1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaZjtMfQ1QPNAKp9sBwqkui5MeYEy1tQERQZiHgVS_taNRaFJQxL36TfSEMM5InxvWoLLpntRADU69LyVVFgKb5Y6QjkN5ydOZMi5DueLaOmzxbgCuycxuxSMOZJVrGYeIHntGOZBmLU/s400/IMG_1510.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-cKlaaag3Xf-fWDQ-0jLbWU_ctUjO9l-_cfWs0kCKJIVe7KcdP7DUIgDnPKOJEiBbhgbkfGz_bG1NosHO4FaeMnfWBWlffstq6nMBYSwKuMEdabUFG08lg2RkYLuORnaMPepqKsjEyM/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-cKlaaag3Xf-fWDQ-0jLbWU_ctUjO9l-_cfWs0kCKJIVe7KcdP7DUIgDnPKOJEiBbhgbkfGz_bG1NosHO4FaeMnfWBWlffstq6nMBYSwKuMEdabUFG08lg2RkYLuORnaMPepqKsjEyM/s400/IMG_1521.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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he was raising the roof...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYsxTN6VYbrQTFRgr6Le0RM7MuZvJewUl5MkUGy4AXP12Sn4__K4y0nhcsB1w9chi3JhXAmuRvqmERXaUUFgmYdFpkPkqiKRNbN0wL1oDGzUhO9LIWb3lh9LLsTXzZfEPvLMpIZqL8sE/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYsxTN6VYbrQTFRgr6Le0RM7MuZvJewUl5MkUGy4AXP12Sn4__K4y0nhcsB1w9chi3JhXAmuRvqmERXaUUFgmYdFpkPkqiKRNbN0wL1oDGzUhO9LIWb3lh9LLsTXzZfEPvLMpIZqL8sE/s400/IMG_1522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and she does the sprinkler...i think i pee'd my pants!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykIrWMelsKQCvhBMtwsYuCiVIKhd_DvgruRyWwvG2MaJRfbLDUYwaQ3E-4zWfe2TBGbZStVVslaMjTLt_j9K7NcEB28BJB_2JF-1yGTvJTkVUsNUKZA3YmnZGxwd9LfH56vNoUXe0U_c/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykIrWMelsKQCvhBMtwsYuCiVIKhd_DvgruRyWwvG2MaJRfbLDUYwaQ3E-4zWfe2TBGbZStVVslaMjTLt_j9K7NcEB28BJB_2JF-1yGTvJTkVUsNUKZA3YmnZGxwd9LfH56vNoUXe0U_c/s400/IMG_1625.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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i love hello kitty so i had to take a pic of this sweetie!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNfWQS8fB5gVk8G7tvgbtEC9d_y5MB9g-R-EfsL8NLfB8DpFowmfChnciBou527B9GHlFX_FuVQfzXgoEFkMLLOzpYGbMM-Vd8cz_7dibf11iavalW7hgBpWjw-qzBkaYLChzF6TIRLw/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNfWQS8fB5gVk8G7tvgbtEC9d_y5MB9g-R-EfsL8NLfB8DpFowmfChnciBou527B9GHlFX_FuVQfzXgoEFkMLLOzpYGbMM-Vd8cz_7dibf11iavalW7hgBpWjw-qzBkaYLChzF6TIRLw/s400/IMG_1641.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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the girls relax while we clean up...</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">[i see so much potential in these un edited photos!]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and tonight. this was the ultimate test. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it's dark in our living room.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">check out the difference of the auto and my settings! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">[ok, this is not the best picture but what i want you to see is the fact that oh em gee...when it's in the auto mode look how dark it looks! the manual mode the settings were ss1"6 i know that's like uber crazy but i really wanted to see how to NOT use the flash...when i say it was dark i mean DARK, f5.6 iso1600 sooo it's a little blurry because well, i needed a tri pod, let's be honest that ss u need one to take that a pic that slow, lol but still look at how soft and creamy the coloring is...that's what i really wanted to come out of this little exercise. just the coloring. i know it's by no means a perfect pic, lol]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">yes! i will be saying NO to auto from now on!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">thanks to <a href="http://www.kristendukephotography.com/">kristen</a> -- i won't look at photography the same!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">go get her e-book! i am so glad i did!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">xoxoxo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">erika</span></div>
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door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-82562976533198363212011-09-29T08:30:00.000-07:002011-09-29T08:53:45.473-07:00taking a class...now to find it!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">well, i'm taking the leap!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i want to learn all i can regarding photography. i mean, i got my first DSLR so why not take advantage of what she has to offer, right? right.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, i want to take a class. it doesn't have to be in school, as in at a college at night where it will take me away from my sweet family. i can easily do this while gunnar is running around playing ben 10, or army men. i can do this in my free time. yes, i have free time -- i mean, hello, how am i blogging? we MAKE time when we WANT to do something! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we all know i love <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/">amy</a> from the idea room, it's no secret on my blog! i talk about the idea room all the time....well, it's also no secret that amy is one wonderful photographer and we love her because she shares her secrets [gasp!] yes...yes she does! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">well, as i was on my other love <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">pinterest</a>, i was looking up photography and came across a little link that spiked my interest. it said "say no to auto" it peeked my interest because i really want to learn about manual mode and all about my camera....so, i click on it and, where does it take me? to amy's blog! of course! lol, but, more importantly to the most amazing page that i have no idea how i've never seen it before! it's the page where i decided i'm totally taking a class! and, now i have a new favorite blogger...meet <a href="http://kristendukephotography.blogspot.com/">kristen</a>! oh she is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! she used to write on amy's blog [i proly would have cried had i known this....cuz when i read her farewell post i found myself getting a little emotional...i blame it on my period getting ready to start] and tells all her little secret's...i have now found a new best friend, and she has no clue who i am! lol if you have a love for photography, this is a must <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2011/04/past-photography-tips-with-kristen-duke.html">read</a> ... and yes, i'm going to purchase her e-book because well, after reading the tips she gave i mean, i have to! you proly should too...<a href="http://kristendukephotography.com/">click here to access site and get it!</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so friends, i am now looking for an online class to take. perhaps i will get her book first and just start there. i am also totally going to invest in photoshop. yes, i do have picnik and i have been able to make some amazing shots look unbelievable. but, after looking at kristen's pictures after photoshop...i'm really blown away!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, i'm totally excited because i have tried a few of her tips and have done really well with changing the iso and ss and i'm excited because wow. just wow! what a difference! no more auto for me! now, tonight i'm taking pics at the kids "back to school" dance...i cringe thinking about the flash that will be used. urg! i may be e-mailing kristen today! crossing fingers she can help me!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">how about you? do you know what i can do?? i HATE flash photography...but...i'll be indoors at a dance = DARK...help!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">xoxoxo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">erika</span></div>
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door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-66151208323536823852011-09-28T07:21:00.000-07:002011-09-28T07:29:22.542-07:00[a not so] wordless wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it's wednesday which brings...[dun dun dun]</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">[a not so] wordless wednesday!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">is it just me, or has wednesday became your favorite day too?? i find myself thinking...oooh ooooh that picture is sooooo going up on wednesday's post!!! oh the joy's of my blog...my precious! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, what's my WORDY wednesday post bringing today? um, how about a birthday party?? yes, i think so...we went to alyssa's friend from kindergarten brianna's pool party. i of course brought my lovely and snapped over 100 photo's. even of the cat. yes, the cat. got some really cool up close and personal shots of a scary banana spider too. eeek! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it was a great birthday party. we really had a fun time relaxing and of course spending time with brianna's family. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">happy birthday sweetie!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">this cat adopted them...he was fabulous!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">and this would be the banana spider. eeeeek! i have a fabulous zoom lense. i was by no stretch of the imagination close to this thing. although, afterward i felt him all over me!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">and then i got the prettiest sunset shot eva...oh yes, i know i have A LOT to learn about photography. like, literally i don't even know what an aperture is. i mean i know what it means, but don't know what it means, ya know? i hate [with every fiber of my being] flash photography. my favorite mode on my camera is literally the CA mode. creative auto. i take the flash off and blur the background. that's me. so, i should totally take a class. but, here's my little landscape with brianna's brother on his motor cross bike. i'd love to a shoot with him...but i really need to learn and get good, but i love this shot...for now. watch, i'll look back and laugh cuz i'll be like...wow, i had soo much to learn! lol</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">that screams FALL to me...the sky was sooooo pretty...it just wasn't cold like it looks. whine....whine....whine....it will be though and SOON!! yay! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">xoxoxo thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">i'd love feedback on the picture taking skills...i really need tips! ooh, and don't forget to link up!</span></div>
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door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-57661859052730290962011-09-26T14:59:00.000-07:002011-09-26T15:09:25.030-07:00monday blog hop -- link up and enjoy the ride!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">a monday blog hop and random blah blah</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i've been pretty happy with how i'm gaining readers. blogging has turned into a fun little look into my mind. i didn't want my blog to be a complete mommy blog, i mean how many of those are there. what? a gazillion. do we really need yet another mom spilling her guts on what works for her? and, do you find yourself thinking "is her life really like that? or, is she fluffing it just a bit?" </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, this is me. i mean, really. i am totally r-e-a-l. i think that's what my friends love about me. i won't sugar coat things for you. i just won't. if your bootay looks big in those jeans, hunie, i'm going to tell you. if your zipper is down, i'm gonna let'cha know. and, to be quite honest, it's what i look for in a friend too. so, in my closer than close girl friends, i expect to be told that the shirt i'm wearing makes me look pregnant and lord knows that's not the look i was going for, cuz well, i'm not pregnant, lol. so, thanks if you are being honest. ha.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i'm at a point in my life that i'm really cherishing my girlfriends. i'm coming into my own and falling in love with that style that screams "me". i couldn't be happier. i want to be the room mom in my son's kindergarten class next year. i want to take pictures at the school dances, and at other functions and have them be used for the year book. i would love nothing more than to make really fun crafty treats and take them to the kids' class rooms for their parties. and, do this with my close knit of friends i have made these last couple of years. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">thursday's my girlfriends and i have decided to have a craft day. we are going to teach one another a craft. i for one will be showcasing my favorite crafts from my oh so favorite blog</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/">The Idea Room</a> because she is oh so crafty and i love her blog so! now i just have to decide which craft to do first. i was thinking about a wreath because it's fall and i need a new one for my door...and for that it will be <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">pinterest</a> to the rescue! i may have to have friday's a special day to blog all about my thursday girlfriend day! oooh i can't wait! this thursday will be our first get together. now, what to name our little club??</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">any ideas?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, my blog may not be all about mothering...it's more like what makes me well, me. and yes, my kids and my family make my life what it is. i love my girlfriends and have come to realize that they make my life tick too. i'm a lover of my camera...i don't leave home without it. i love building things -- renovating things...and i can thank jen aka "ying" and i would be "yang" or i would be pnut butta and she jelly [lol] for all that...i love wreaths...again, jen...i love cottage-y things...that would be an emily thing...i really dig crafting...both jen and ems can be thanked for that...really, my friends just rock the house. and, they inspire me! so, ya. i am just one lucky chick to have these fabulous women in my life. you too will be inspired by them! wanna hear something funny? jen and ems haven't even met yet...oh, they are going to just kill me for that one! thursdays are going to be my most favorite day from now on!!! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">went to a bday party this weekend. got a few great shots ...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we also spent time at ying's house this weekend..so, i took time to take pics of some of my favorite things in her home...oh how i love jen's house...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutdszjK66sNNeeRAb-N2HOYIiD1RNV_h1Skepttzq_zpBKz6JGvMq_XIXJ6qTeOBq5_-hl6f3Oh-6GFwwfdzeELNWeeDaT7lfvFa8BcqxXlETwUYFy1odesZsbgQ-RuNhc9nCKoF_rY8/s1600/jenandgirlsart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutdszjK66sNNeeRAb-N2HOYIiD1RNV_h1Skepttzq_zpBKz6JGvMq_XIXJ6qTeOBq5_-hl6f3Oh-6GFwwfdzeELNWeeDaT7lfvFa8BcqxXlETwUYFy1odesZsbgQ-RuNhc9nCKoF_rY8/s320/jenandgirlsart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">look at these pillows...why yes, they are napkins. aren't they dandy?<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54zXKWgTpginTzknQRJGusfL5vr5YfJv_0IMlgT_HhBw5LNDTvm8zTbwl9BSKzFH_TFzGi194Om2G5b80rkM7xZcr1DQtCp2g1QSz2xxgE1WxoF1BelyiC7wJBGfHSOVCsukRwJkCgm8/s1600/16541785923_9LwwS.jpg" /><br />
is this not the cutest wreath eva???</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">this is the perfect saying for jen. it speaks volumes about the person she is...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">i have no idea what took me so long to get a DSLR...oh i'm never going back to the "other side" hee hee....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it's time for cub scouts! </span></div>
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</script>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-91201428345717042752011-09-24T20:11:00.000-07:002011-09-27T05:39:52.283-07:00when the camera comes out to play<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it's all about the...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">let's be honest. if you have a great eye, you can make it happen. the aha! moment. you are in the mode. you've found the right spot, you've got the right subject, the lighting seems to be just so...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and then...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">oh em gee...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you see the most adorable little person.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you.have.got.to.take.a.picture!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i have the sweetest little person in mind. her name is hope. her mommy calls her "buggie" and she fits her nickname to a tee. she's such a little buggie. oh, i could eat her up.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">well, i made a little headband for my new niece who will be joining us in january. we.can't.wait!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">she will have a big brother raiden who in my opinion is the cutest little guy eva! he is going to be 3 in november. i love him to pieces. my sister is 4 years older than me so we are very close and oh em gee i am just overwhelmed with finding luna "bug" the cutest things on [you guessed it] <a href="http://wwww.pinterest.com/">pinterest</a> !!! oh yes! and, i made her this cute as a button headband. yes, i made it. *ahem* i channeled my inner "heather" and retro'd it out. and came up with the cutest thing eva. she's going to rock it! so, instead of sending my sister a picture of just the headband, i decided to send her a picture with my cutie patooty neighbor wearing it! [swooon] she is too cute!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">yay! i got to play with my camera =)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">my luna bug is going to be adorable!!! yay!</span></div>
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door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-4603551574135396502011-09-23T08:44:00.000-07:002011-09-23T09:07:30.799-07:00wordless wednesday #3<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">boys will be boys</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">my sons love the rain. honestly, so do i. well, as long as the tornado sirens do not follow [eek!] i know it's coming. this time of year is the cozy time of hot chocolate, fuzzy blankets, rain drops and cooler weather. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BUT...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we are in the south folks!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, for a few more months, although the rest of the world gets to experience the cooler side, we get the rain...and the cooler weather won't follow for atleast a good few months. so, what happens? the boys play in the mud...and it's not just my boys...it's my friend's boys too! us girls just sit and laugh. especially alyssa because are you kidding? she would NEVER get that dirty! so, what do i do? grab my camera with the zoom lense because there is no way i'm getting dirty either, lol and snap away! here is my favorite picture of the day!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-S5z8Rm4y6usJ4pbZNfJLB4zg_26sL6Vpyp_lwoz5zqD3QqXlaI45h7qmLICdBdIOpxIr2d5FB2RtSXtX7o2xjXeUdYGHSNSY5meCVOPaZa0H5eu5eWYZk2sSHbQY2BIj3xYA_bt_j8/s1600/boysmud1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-S5z8Rm4y6usJ4pbZNfJLB4zg_26sL6Vpyp_lwoz5zqD3QqXlaI45h7qmLICdBdIOpxIr2d5FB2RtSXtX7o2xjXeUdYGHSNSY5meCVOPaZa0H5eu5eWYZk2sSHbQY2BIj3xYA_bt_j8/s400/boysmud1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">this just screams boys will be boys! they are dirty. there is mud. they are covered. and, they couldn't be happier!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">let's not forget the small things in life! being a kid is precious...they will never forget it. our boys will always remember the little moments in time that we allowed them to be ... boys. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">god made dirt, and dirt don't hurt =)</span></div>
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door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-25260102352388819462011-09-15T10:27:00.000-07:002011-09-15T10:27:52.429-07:00[not so] wordless wednesday #2 "boys just want to be like daddy"<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">wordless wednesday #2</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it's wednesday which only means one thing...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it's a [not so] wordless wednesday linking partay!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">so let's get this party started!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">last wednesday i decided to start off my [not so] wordless wednesday to introduce myself by using inspirational pictures that <a href="http://doorknobsandbruises.blogspot.com/search/label/wordless%20wednesday">brought out the kid in me</a></span> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it was very therapudic to write about memories taking me back to my childhood. i was a very blessed child who can honestly say hand on heart, girl scout honor, had the most amazing up bringing. my sister and i were 4 years apart, and sure, we may not have always gotten along, but, we are so close now that none of that matters. we are one of the few families who did not have to deal with a family divided. our mom and dad have been and are still madly in love with each other. we may have made the "icky" face and laughed while pointing fingers [much like my children do now] while mommy and daddy snuggled on the couch or kissed secretly [or so they thought] in the corner of the kitchen, but inside our hearts were as happy as a bird with a french fry [*ahem, totally took that little analagy from my "ying" aka best friend jen] </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> so, this week's post i decided to share a few little shots of my little boys isaac and gunnar. i got my new camera and took it for a test run. they were out playing and well, i couldn't help but get tickled as i watched them "pretend". it melted my heart. they were so sweet...first we were out in the front yard, then we ventured to the back yard when their little land of make believe came to life and i was lucky enough to be a part of it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i think the only way to title this would be</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"boys just want to be like daddy"</span><br />
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first, we were in the front yard, and they were interested in mommy's camera<br />
here's gunnar with his string cheese "want some?" "no, thanks sweetie"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTxkj46LprgJN6KzyIknBQrJ6mAmQ3QOY-RZYQ0yQNHFqjKS6sadi16muReP2tcfczsA0ZANpHwOQtPgsCK38kTeVvvtFnTtowLJ5Y2ifnJsfobDXsugTHwF7iEISphU-3JhxDbodpAI/s1600/gunnar+rebel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTxkj46LprgJN6KzyIknBQrJ6mAmQ3QOY-RZYQ0yQNHFqjKS6sadi16muReP2tcfczsA0ZANpHwOQtPgsCK38kTeVvvtFnTtowLJ5Y2ifnJsfobDXsugTHwF7iEISphU-3JhxDbodpAI/s400/gunnar+rebel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i have to tell you, i don't know what it is, but my boys go through this stage in which they do not like clothes. i just don't get it. it starts at about the age of 2 and continues until they go to kindergarten. they only want to wear their under-roos. what's the deal? isaac, thankfully, wears shorts all of the time and even will put on a shirt. but, usually is seen shirtless. but gunnar, oh no. that kid loves to only wear his under-roos. he will get dressed in a heart beat if someone comes over. it's the funniest thing. he'll disappear and the next thing you know he's magically dressed. it always makes me laugh. [you know what, even alyssa went through a little phase like this. but, for her, she only wanted to wear her bathing suit or dress up clothes] what a difference. anywho...</span><br />
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gunnar then gave me a squishy face...i love how dirty he looks. haha. classic little boy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM3DyQVmJMPg1PqWO2yvMyGsnE8E-ivQjQP0I5iWHrJKneJ0H_nLmFmi9koizavzcFW_VQ2aFrfggXRL0V4t62AjSPcl3AWy0ZVE9cwJgSqkFhrJtR31ElBQFnCyRivv4BWUgL4z7Vsk/s1600/gunnar+squishy+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM3DyQVmJMPg1PqWO2yvMyGsnE8E-ivQjQP0I5iWHrJKneJ0H_nLmFmi9koizavzcFW_VQ2aFrfggXRL0V4t62AjSPcl3AWy0ZVE9cwJgSqkFhrJtR31ElBQFnCyRivv4BWUgL4z7Vsk/s400/gunnar+squishy+face.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, i have my brown eye'd baby and my blue eye'd baby. isaac wants to be behind the camera...oh how i hate to tell him no, but i can't afford [literally] to break this one! [my first DSLR after many smaller cheap point and shoots that i must admit i have broken] he is a fun guy to follow when he's not begging to take a picture, because he has such a great imagination. he gives me the funniest looks too.</span><br />
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"please, just one picture?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq7bcqS5hIr-sFImzu5PBzLpVP8hMY1TqyEiaCv95z9LmYEe_3wEhTd7aRCHvnw0AAKCVKPPiAHN4gp5qBibujwi-E0GNMw7ZTOQzVuLpxU2ufT8aftqoERMnYi-RJ1Gzlx3f2idaGGM/s1600/isaaceyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq7bcqS5hIr-sFImzu5PBzLpVP8hMY1TqyEiaCv95z9LmYEe_3wEhTd7aRCHvnw0AAKCVKPPiAHN4gp5qBibujwi-E0GNMw7ZTOQzVuLpxU2ufT8aftqoERMnYi-RJ1Gzlx3f2idaGGM/s400/isaaceyes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"just one? come on mom..."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA02zAElYuwO1TMmJPywIF28lpRwCoFU1zOfmEo4jXkuAUvE8i2MWcVKJnyBY0vnvHOSpkfoZrPnlR1x9pkSzTfw1Z5yGsL7ehofUsREwWZwaTiun-2baIZDzRbJjsCGrWwwFNOI02MU/s1600/isaac+rebel+camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA02zAElYuwO1TMmJPywIF28lpRwCoFU1zOfmEo4jXkuAUvE8i2MWcVKJnyBY0vnvHOSpkfoZrPnlR1x9pkSzTfw1Z5yGsL7ehofUsREwWZwaTiun-2baIZDzRbJjsCGrWwwFNOI02MU/s400/isaac+rebel+camera.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">after letting him sit between my legs and squeeze up through the strap [which thankfully he's small enough to do that] he was a happy guy and he snapped a great picture of our cat bill. he's an old outdoor [by choice] cat. he has moved with us to every new duty station and every place we move to he decides whether or not he wants to live in the house or not. we happen to live in the country, so this cat is smart. he comes to the house to eat and if it's cold he'll come in and if it's raining but other than than that, he loves it outside. i like it because there is no kitty litter box! score! so, here is isaac's photography skills </span><br />
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i framed his picture so he would feel like a "real photographer"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaRh3LZ29DY__HH3DOonYY891VZIPh_3n_ZhE4Rl3aCL01_5HafpZjvMrgm6j3v1VnHF8kNW6Lfm_xpTBcQGlGyQ4JswgGhFgh9YnVt4pArm3bzbAVAD5rG8BKfPcjvjdlN-rM5fo668/s1600/bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaRh3LZ29DY__HH3DOonYY891VZIPh_3n_ZhE4Rl3aCL01_5HafpZjvMrgm6j3v1VnHF8kNW6Lfm_xpTBcQGlGyQ4JswgGhFgh9YnVt4pArm3bzbAVAD5rG8BKfPcjvjdlN-rM5fo668/s400/bill.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">now i have a happy boy and we decide to go to the back yard. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but, before we, go, daddy calls and the boys talk to him "mommy let</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> me take a picture with her camera!" "mommy took a picture of me" [i then had to explain that i did not let him take the picture by himself, lol]</span><br />
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this picture is so sweet<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_rwmGrxkHd9xxhorL2_YdGXHXtZ1tzFLY_2HIGuXt9latRs96bQxkn9Gxw44iLaIkROjmSPAb6JhnII_dW7ViS55MOny2LyUnXILqX-uEZDER1gmH_gf-Upr4-sQ_KRBW-GYp0tnB0A/s1600/boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_rwmGrxkHd9xxhorL2_YdGXHXtZ1tzFLY_2HIGuXt9latRs96bQxkn9Gxw44iLaIkROjmSPAb6JhnII_dW7ViS55MOny2LyUnXILqX-uEZDER1gmH_gf-Upr4-sQ_KRBW-GYp0tnB0A/s400/boys.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sidenote:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i mentioned in another post that the boys had dug a hole in the yard. well, this is what they've been doing. i can't help but laugh because they are truly being creative. i have been seeing them taking daddy's "extra" tool's outside and bringing them back in when they are cleaning up when it's time to come in for dinner. i don't hear fighting so i have no need to really go outside and continually supervise. they are old enough now [and we have a 7 foot privacy fence] where they can be left out in our back yard and they don't get into things that they aren't supposed to. it's safe, they won't get kidnapped, it's our yard. the only way you get in is through our house, so i know when they come and go. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">well, after we were in the front yard, they wanted to play in the back yard. it was so nice out i decide to just relax and enjoy the cooler weather we've been having. with camera in tow, i follow them out. isaac goes back into the house and grabs his tools. then what happens next i'm just literally feeling my heart melting i had to take this opportunity to take a few snap shots.</span><br />
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at first the tools just sit on the dirt. this is a big circle where the pool that was up all summer killed the grass. it will go back up next summer, but this fall it will be their "track" [notice gunnar in his under-roos, lol] they are making their vroom vroom noises and having a grand time<br />
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"gunnar hand me the wratchet" i don't think either one of them even knows what a wratchet is, but without even a hesitation, gunnar grabs the closest tool and hands it to his brother<br />
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back and forth the exchange takes place...</div>
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because apparently a wrench is what is best used for digging holes according to gunnar</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">then i notice isaac...</span></div>
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"isaac honey, what are you doing?" "oh, i'm just fixing the bug" "what's wrong with it?" "it's sluggish" "ok, well, how are you going to make it work?" "by taking the slug out of it" lol, now that is genius! =)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i just love it when the boys act like their dad. i think it's really sweet. just like when little girls act like their mommy's. there is just something about them mimiking the adults around them that is adorable to me. little kids acting like adults. [insert pouty lip and me saying awh that is so stinkin cute] it literally melts my heart. if only you could have heard them interact. it went a little along the lines of:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"gunnar, dude, pass me the wratchet.....thanks bro." [he made these click click bang bang sounds with the "wratchet" which was actually a set of pliars the first time, a wrench the second time, screw driver the third, you get the idea...] "yup" was gunnar's reply which by the way made me laugh because he was very busy. [apparently digging a hole with one of the extra "wratchet's" *ahem* wrenches was much more important to him] "gunnar, dude, if you want to stay on the pay roll, you need to keep your head in the game. i need a lube." gunnar was now irritated. he had lost interest in isaac's fantasy "mr.fix it" car repair shop. i mean, they'd been playing for over 15 minutes by this point. he's only 4 for crying out loud!<br /><br />he stands up and grabs the bucket o'tools, which was actually an old basket i had in my bathroom that used to house brushes [i was throwing it away, and i found it under the sink full of tony's odds and ends tools. mmm k] <br />gives his brother the basket and with a very calm voice says what may very well be my favorite thing this entire week:<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">"isaac, i am not on your payrule. mommy pays me. you are not the boss to me. take yur tuls i'm diggin"</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and with that, isaac and i exchanged glances and we couldn't help but laugh. he resumed playing, gunnar resumed digging and i snapped a few more pictures. it was a pretty fun day. those boys are quite funny when they are not fighting.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">if you made it this far, i applaud you. i know it's a wordless wednesday, but i'm def not a girl of few words. so i effectionatly call it a [not so] wordless wednesday. see you next wednesday =) looking forward to reading your posts! don't forget to comment and link up!</span><br />
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</script>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-8011930720662295712011-09-13T11:49:00.000-07:002011-09-13T18:25:21.297-07:00the abc's of moi<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">b</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange;">c</span>'s of moi</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">i was invited to join a little fun event as a better way to getting to know me from my friends at <a href="http://www.voiceboks.com/">voiceBoks</a> i hope you have fun reading them. i have had fun reading the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">c</span>'s of my friend's so this will be fun to fill out. here goes...and oh by the way, don't be surprised, there is no way that i can use 1 word. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">age </span>i am 32 and loving my 30's! although, when i turned 29 i think i had a mini break down <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">argile </span>love the print it's fabulous seriously, it just is, especially on tights.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">butterfly </span>they follow me everywhere. they even land on me. when my daughter was diagnosed w/the brain tumor, my uncle who is chief of the shawnee nation in california named her butterfly dancing because everytime he would pray for her he'd have a butterfly dancing around her. even before she was born, her baby bedding was butterfly themed. then, when my niece passed away, i noticed them even more...so, they are always around and they comfort me and my daughter notices them too. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">brain </span>tumor that word will be a part of me for the rest of my life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">coffee</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> i big puffy heart love it but it needs to have sugar free vanilla creamer and agave or splenda in it! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">converse</span> any color, anytime, anywhere. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">do </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it yourself</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> because </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i'm cool like that! i honestly just learned how to read how to build furniture plans. i have made a few pieces and even turned my drab dining room table into a fab one. now i love it. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">donughts </span>i love them but they don't love me. it's a sad relationship really</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">extra </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">weight</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i'm on a mission to lose it this year! i can help </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you too if you are interested let me know and follow my posts in "good bye granny - hello nanny!" lol [and no, it's actually not because i eat too many donughts] <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">eureka </span>the word bugs me <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">eclectic </span>a word i use to describe my style</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">family</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> they are the reason i get up everyday.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> fart</span> a common word used in our house lol <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">fabulous </span>is a word i probably use way too much</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">god</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> who is the center of our household.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">hawai'i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> i grew up there and never knew just how lucky i was until i left. isn't it always that way? geez, i was spoiled.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">ireland</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> because i cherish my irish background and would love to visit ireland one day same goes for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">italy </span>but i'm not italian, my husband is</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">jesus</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> because he died on the cross for you and me and the least i can do is share his free gift to as many that will listen - before it's too late</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">kindergarten</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> which is where i will be spending most of my free time next year because my 3rd child will be starting school and i want to be the room mom</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">laughing loudly</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> - it's the best sound. ever! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">laundry</span> is something i despise doing. thankfully, my husband hates the dishes, so i do those and he does the laundry. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">mamaka</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> the name my husband calls me when he's not calling me babe <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">morning </span>my favorite time of day <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">midnight </span>sun the book i can't wait to come out by stephanie meyer because i am a twilight fan and let's face it, edward and bella's lovestory is that good <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">mochi</span> a delight i can't get enough of but i only get it back home</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">norby</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> my maiden name which i hated growing up and respect it now that i'm older</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">ohhh</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> eemmm geee</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> because i love that word!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">pinterest</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> need i say more? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">polycystic </span>ovarian syndrome i have it and was misdiagnosed for many years</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">quaint </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the kind of town i'd like to live in someday <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">quirky </span>a great word to describe me</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">retro </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i love retro style in fact, i think i was probably born in the wrong era. i can pretty much guarantee it</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">stylish </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">atleast i like to think so <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">short </span>i can't really help that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">smiles </span>a lot in fact, in school, my nick name was "smiley" ya. i was a cheerleader. what? don't judge.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">thinks </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">outside the box </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i def do that. i made a coat/back pack rack out of my sons toddler bed head board. yup. could't get rid of it. so, now i can look at it and think of him as a wee one....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">unbelievably </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">easy to talk to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and people tell me their life stories all the time. which is fine because i would love to be a counselor some day to teens. i think that from the age of 8/9 and on girls especially need guidance and really should be payed extra attention to and should have the opportunity to feel safe and be able to talk to someone they trust even if it's outside their home. so, i'd love to be a counselor at a school. someone that young girls can relate to and feel comfortable talking to. i had the opportunity to counsel a young girl and later she shared that the night i listened to her she was going to take her life, but i showed her love and that i cared. she had her entire death planned [and told me in detail] she thanked me for taking the time to talk to her that night. ever since then, i have had a passion to counsel. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">very </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">passionate</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">about suicide awareness, especially in teens <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">ViSalus </span>is going to change my world!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">will </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">do anything </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">for a family member or friend in need, i understand what it's like to be in hard times and if i can help in any way i will </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">xanax </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">is an over used anti depressant. while i was in the process of being diagnosed with pcos, this is one that i wasn't prescribed. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">yo-yo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'ing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i never could quite get the hang of it</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">zoologist </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">in the 5th grade, it's the job i wanted to do "when i grew up" and, now that i am still "growing up" i love to take my children to the zoo and see their faces and faces as they watch the elephants, gorillas and giraffes in their habitats. it's like being a kid again myself.</span></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-87447965608459853162011-09-12T16:44:00.000-07:002011-09-13T19:09:16.582-07:00battle of the buldge, or is it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;">jiggle it just a little bit</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">note: this is not my stomach, although, i can make mine do this</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it's been 4 years since i had my last child. after he was born, the migraines started. within 5 months i was 127lbs. for my 5 foot 3" frame, that is quite small. and i loved it.with the migraines, came anxiety and panic attacks. out of nowhere. i had no idea what was going on. i also noticed skin tags and my skin was an odd shade of greenish gray. that's the only way i can explain the color. my hair was falling out and eventually just looked thin and lacked shine and luster. so, i started tanning and cut my hair in a cute short style. you couldn't tell my hair was thinning and my skin tone was "for a year i kept the weight off. i've always had a weight issue. it runs in my family along with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. [thankfully i do not have those issues]. early 2009 i had gained a little bit of weight, which was fine because i had actually gotten too small [who would have ever thought i'd be saying that].</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">actually, about 15lbs but like i said i had gotten too small around 117lbs and looked sick [and i was but didn't know it at the time]</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> later that year, in november, our family was hit with a tragedy that we not only never expected, but it is something that i am choosing to not blog about. just know that it was a hard time in my life and i went into a deep and dark depression. for three months i can honestly say i do not know how i survived. the only logical explanation is that god literally was willing me to. i can't think of what i did during that time. i can't recall conversations. nothing. i only remember christmas day because i talked to my sister and we went to ohio because tony wouldn't let me not celebrate christmas. he knew i didn't feel like it. but, he also knew i needed to be around extended family. and he was right.</span><br />
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depression caused me to choose food. i chose food when i was sad. food when i was mad. food when i was angry. food all the time. chocolate was my comfort and cookies were my reward. [i read that in the book made to crave and it made perfect sense]. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2009 passed and 2010 came. alyssa's tumor grew and here we go in the hospital. more weight gain. only about 10lbs. still not so bad. i decide i've had it. i become a vegetarian for health reasons. mainly for alyssa. tumors grow [so i read] or feed on sugar...i lose 20lbs. cool.later that year in july i go on a missions trip. i.am.in.awh. this is the best experience ever! i am renewed! i am refreshed! i will never go home. well, i do. but i don't want to. lima is amazing! i contract a bacterial infection in my intestines. from getting the shower water in my mouth. great.<span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i didn't get sick until i came home. phew. that would have been bad with a long plane ride and going through customs and all that, plus the drive from atlanta back to alabama, but, within hours of walking through my front door, i'm throwing up and having the most painful stomach cramps. the next 3 months are like this. i am dizzy, nauseated, sore stomach, diarrhea, throwing up, light headed...and guess what? instead of losing weight...my body changes all the food i eat [even soup] into sugar instead of energy. i couldn't understand it. until i did.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, after many many many trips to the er [to the point that i have my own room -- literally when i check in they say hey erika, your room is available, go on back, we'll be with you in a bit, go ahead and get as comfortable as you can. grab a blanket, you know where they are.] !!!???!!! i know. sad. it did take 3 weeks to get my diagnosis because they needed a poo sample and well i was peeing out of my boo boo [sorry tmi] so, they made me drink an ensure and pepto [the entire bottle - uck] and the doc and i sat for an hour and had a talk about god. very.cool. he hooked me up to morphine. also.very.cool. until it only lasts for 20 minutes =( and the pain returns. [that's when you know you are in trouble...even morphine won't take the pain away] then i poo'd and they came back and said "well, we know what you have!" "good news is, it's <i>just </i>a bacterial infection and not a parasite. the bad news is, it <i>should</i> have gotten out of your system by now" [by this time it was going on a month] so, i was given antibiotics, something for dizziness, stomach pain, nausea and a regular pain killer. it took 3 weeks for the stomach pain to go away completely and about 4 months for the dizziness to go away. the doctor told me that if i was still in pain the following week to return. although the knots in my stomach did finally go away, the dizziness took quite a bit to fade.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">after my missions trip experience i came home having fallen in love with the childrenthere. if would have been able to, i would have taken a baby home with me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">after being sick for so long i had to get off of all my medication [including birth control] and basically start from scratch. and since i had the baby itch again, i didn't get back on birth control. seeing as that was a good idea i also remained off of my meds so that it wouldn't interfere with my pregnancy. i am very fertile and i did not want to pass any medication to my child. so, we started trying. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">month by month i got negative pregnancy tests.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">what.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">is.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">the.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">deal?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">two months. negative. four months. six. this is not normal. god? is a fourth child too much to ask for? during this time, i started noticing subtle changes in my body... so, i wrote them down:<br /> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">i </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">have joint pain. i sweat because i get so hot. i sweat so<br /><br /> bad that i soak my clothes. literally it looks like i have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">sat in water. even in an air conditioned room.<br /><br />i am nauseated all.of.the.time. i am constantly<br /><br />over heating. i can't wear makeup [and i don't even care </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">at<br /><br /> this point] because it literally just runs off my face. i<br /><br />have the worst acne right now [again, i could care less]<br /><br />the hair on my arms has gotten very thick [i shave,<br /><br />so at first i didn't notice it] i started noticing hair on </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">my<br /><br />toes and top of my feet. my hair on my head is falling </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">out.<br /><br />i have skin tags [one reason i went to the doctor, and<br /><br />so glad that i did, i went to get them removed and she<br /><br />started asking me more detailed questions and we put </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">the<br /><br /> puzzle together] i am so sleepy it's ridiculous YET i </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">can't<br /><br />sleep until i'm to the point i'm exhausted my body </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">finally<br /><br />gives up and allows me to go to bed. i'm an emotional<br /><br /> wreck. i can be happy one minute and crying the next<br /><br />[now it makes sense that at one point i was diagnosed<br /><br /> with bi-polar disorder but i wouldn't accept that<br /><br /> diagnosis because i just<br /><br /> knew i wasn't -- and i'm not] i started noticing hair on </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">my<br /><br /> face [more than just the "peach fuzz"] also started<br /><br />noticing skin pigment changes on my face. i crave sugar<br /><br /> and carbs. usually chocolate and bread. i have<br /><br />debilitating migraines. panic, anxiety, insomnia, cramps </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">so<br /><br />bad that it hurts to even breath [each month it's<br /><br />worse on one side more than the other]<br /><br /><br />it's a year later. i am 56lbs heavier. i am not pregnant<br /><br />and i have all of the above symptoms that have<br /><br />come up. doctor after doctor tell me i'm<br /><br />depressed. ok. maybe. who wouldn't be after gaining<br /><br />that much weight? and, have you read the symptoms?<br /><br />hello. i am hot. all. of. the. time. literally.<br /><br />even in the air conditioning!<br /><br />i swear i'm going through menopause and i'm only 31!<br /><br />i go on a missions trip only to come back sicker than </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">sick.<br /><br />i lose a family member WAY too soon.<br /><br />who wouldn't be depressed.<br /><br />only, i KNOW i'm not.<br /><br /><br /><br />so, i decide. i'm going to my doctor and i'm going to </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">make<br /><br />her listen to me. i'm NOT leaving until she HEARS<br /><br />me. i will cry if i have to. it won't be hard.<br /><br />i mean, i'm in pain. i hurt. i feel like i'm 80 years<br /><br />old. i can't clean my house like i normally do.<br /><br />i will have bursts of energy for a day or two<br /><br />only to sleep for a week straight. then be up<br /><br />for a month. something is off.<br /><br />very.<br /><br />off.<br /><br /><br />i make the appointment.<br /><br />first we talk about my cramping.<br /><br />she listens.<br /><br />then we talk about my skin tags.<br /><br />she listens.<br /><br />she notices my acne.<br /><br />she notices my skin tone.<br /><br />she notices my pigment change on my face.<br /><br />she asks me a few questions.<br /><br />i tell her about getting off the pill and noticing that is<br /><br />really when my symptoms started.<br /><br />she listens.<br /><br />she weighs me.<br /><br />she checks my blood pressure.<br /><br />she asks me a few more questions.<br /><br />she explains a few things and tells me i need<br /><br />to go to my ob/gyn.<br /><br />for the time being she prescribed me a good<br /><br />pain killer.<br /><br /><br /><br />ok, i feel pretty good because she did tell me what she<br /><br />thought was going on [i know i haven't told you yet<br /><br />but it's coming don't worry] i pick up my<br /><br />pain meds and happen to run into a friend that<br /><br />i hadn't seen in a while. we chat for a few minutes<br /><br />and she asks how things are going. i tell her a little </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">about<br /><br />what is going on and she pretty much nails it on the </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">head.<br /><br />just by looking at me she can tell what i have. by the </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">acne<br /><br />on my jawline. i'm pretty much shocked at this point.<br /><br /><br /><br />i end up seeing my ob/gyn the following wednesday. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">well,<br /><br />not actually him, but his colleague. i get blood work </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">done<br /><br />as well. i bring my list to him and he looks it over.<br /><br />we discuss everything in depth. i'm not a "normal"<br /><br />case. the fact that i have children is basically<br /><br />why i wasn't diagnosed earlier in life.<br /><br />i have been on birth control since i was 13 because of<br /><br />severe pelvic/ovarian pain. so, my syndrome<br /><br />was kept "at bay". when we were ready<br /><br />to start trying, i would get off of the pill<br /><br />and we'd get pregnant right away. then when baby was<br /><br />6 weeks old, i'd get back on the pill. it wasn't<br /><br />until gunnar was born that i got migraines and was </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">treated<br /><br />for them and anxiety as well as panic [not knowing<br /><br />it was a sign of my syndrome] and when<br /><br />we were ttc #4 it really started to show it's head.<br /><br /><br /><br />friends, i have poly cystic ovarian syndrome.<br /><br /><br />it is not a syndrome that can be cured.<br /><br />it is a syndrome that makes it very hard to lose weight.<br /><br />it is a syndrome that if not treated, will literally<br /><br />make you miserable.<br /><br /><br />there are medicines that are used to lessen the </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">symptoms.<br /><br />i, for one, do not want to use a pharmaceutical. i would<br /><br />rather use a natural whole food source supplement. i </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">have<br /><br />been introduced to one. god works in mysterious<br /><br />ways. not only have i learned of this oh so<br /><br />fabulous supplement, and was able to taste it<br /><br />[can we say yummmmmmmmy??]<br /><br />i was able to read and hear [meaning i met ladies<br /><br />who had real life stories to share]<br /><br />testimonies of what it has done for them! ladies<br /><br />my age and older and even younger [men too!]<br /><br />who have lost weight, [score!] had symptoms<br /><br />disappeared [oh can you imagine??!] to the point<br /><br />that they feel so good they can't even remember<br /><br />the last time they felt THIS good! why am i just NOW<br /><br />hearing about this? you know why? i honestly<br /><br />believe god allowed me to go through this so that i </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">would<br /><br />use my blog and be able to share my story with other<br /><br />women who NEED to hear it. i really do.<br /><br />so, i pray that i can help just one person better their<br /><br />health. maybe they can share this with<br /><br />their mother.<br /><br />their sister.<br /><br />best friend.<br /><br />daughter.<br /><br />brother.<br /><br />son.<br /><br />dad.<br /><br />father.<br /><br />grandfather.<br /><br />uncle.<br /><br />aunt.<br /><br />grandmother.<br /><br />cousin.<br /><br />neighbor.<br /><br /><br /><br />if i can simply help just one person change their life </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">for<br /><br />the better, i will be very happy. i am looking<br /><br />forward to getting my <a href="http://erikakey.bodybyvi.com/">ViSalus Nummy Nummy Shakes</a><br /><br />very soon. living life the visalus way is going to be </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">living<br /><br />life good. pain free. that, to me, is worth everything!<br /><br /><br />what's it worth to you?<br /><br />pass it on! make someone happy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-72905832229988172712011-09-10T20:53:00.000-07:002011-09-13T19:09:16.579-07:0010 years has it really been 10 years?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpKjFDYIx67CveLym73wUTLWODf34oSN6s-KD3Q4qdhxUP4koTru2AGsyU3jLksSETT9EIXqZ1eYrFPr_dp4fCdiNYw_pY071Am95JIZWhbgM0ZgbCRA-DJ3I1Bd5Bt-XgGNEsjKv3hs/s1600/pol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpKjFDYIx67CveLym73wUTLWODf34oSN6s-KD3Q4qdhxUP4koTru2AGsyU3jLksSETT9EIXqZ1eYrFPr_dp4fCdiNYw_pY071Am95JIZWhbgM0ZgbCRA-DJ3I1Bd5Bt-XgGNEsjKv3hs/s400/pol.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>9-11</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i don't really know what to say. i can't believe that it has been 10 years since the attacks. i remember i was sound asleep in my sister's apartment when my brother in law woke me up. i was on leave in hawai'i. it was 3:56am. he turned on the t.v and said that the twin towers had been hit. at first i didn't understand what he was saying. why would someone attack the twin towers? another war in hawai'i? [there are a set of condo's that are called the twin towers and it made no sense to me] it wasn't until we were watching the live news coverage that we could see it was new york. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqGn3jxUkEBQVxuRG03YJOwmt_HqCzWTzEFv2AbVUT2tbUDGkq_VGrvhCzbpTBR9L2eVOVJx9WPVlZX9U-yJAGXBBA7B4M9FdIMwxEtRt-RL7VqPtsi-Qmz30zN5C2b3iC29m6pU-5f8/s1600/emt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqGn3jxUkEBQVxuRG03YJOwmt_HqCzWTzEFv2AbVUT2tbUDGkq_VGrvhCzbpTBR9L2eVOVJx9WPVlZX9U-yJAGXBBA7B4M9FdIMwxEtRt-RL7VqPtsi-Qmz30zN5C2b3iC29m6pU-5f8/s400/emt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">right before our eyes, in what looked like slow motion, we saw the next plane approaching the second tower. we thought it was a replay. until we realized it wasn't. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">talk about surreal. to know we were watching history in the making at that very moment and we could do absolutely nothing to help. what a feeling. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fNre66bwx2rCkm2HyVvmEqovCHpGl-7tvjKos7S6_sobkCMYizUyJy8DZDyScsPt_yILBocP1JPb5rR0LbLQlA9w-8us3RrQQHN4bjuEIEhe2F5txW69wpGBJUJFLXJtreW_7FIGSSk/s1600/911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fNre66bwx2rCkm2HyVvmEqovCHpGl-7tvjKos7S6_sobkCMYizUyJy8DZDyScsPt_yILBocP1JPb5rR0LbLQlA9w-8us3RrQQHN4bjuEIEhe2F5txW69wpGBJUJFLXJtreW_7FIGSSk/s400/911.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">confusion set in. i was feeling helpless. and then, i could see the people jumping. that was the hardest thing to watch. to know that you are going to die because there is no way out, and the fire is getting closer, the air becoming thicker and thicker. no.way.out. no other option. your only choice left for you to make is to jump. to get that last breath of fresh air. you could hear them hitting the pavement. i couldn't believe what i was seeing. it was like we were watching a nightmare before our eyes. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">another plane crashes. more fatalities. then another. what is going on? america.is.at.war.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we have never been the same. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i have seen us unite since september 11. i remember rows and rows of houses with flags displayed. to see that, it makes you proud to be an american. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it has been 10 years. are we still as strong as we were a year later? two years later? what about three? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> too many innocent lives were lost that day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">husbands lost wives</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">children lost mothers</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">wives lost husbands</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">children lost fathers</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">fathers lost sons</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mothers lost daughters</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">fathers lost daughters</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mothers lost sons</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sisters lost brothers</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">brothers lost sisters</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">one life lost is one life too many</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">may america continue to heal</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">never</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ever</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">endure this type of pain ever again!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">as we reflect back on these last 10 years, may we remember all the brave men and women who gave their all to save the lives they did. the men and women who took over the hijacked plane and diverted his route, bless them, for they probably saved hundred's of more lives.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">may their families lives be filled with joy and love and the peace that passes all understanding.</span></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-29731058704389922442011-09-10T13:39:00.000-07:002011-09-13T19:09:16.579-07:00bald is beautiful<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">bald is beautiful</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">our story began on july 2, 2004. i haven't gone in depth about that because i have been waiting to tell it during <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966;">childhood cancer awareness month</span></b>. which, if you are wondering, is <b style="color: #f1c232;">september</b>! i won't be telling our story from the beginning. it's not that i don't want to, it's just that, the story i'm about to share is a bit more powerful to me. when alyssa was diagnosed in july 2004, she was 16 months old. she went in and out of brain surgery, like a rock star. we left 3 days later. it. was. amazing. she got her port put in, ear tubes [she had a history of ear infections] and within a month was starting chemo. was on chemo with breaks for 18 months. had a year off and during that year, the tumor grew. got back on chemo. this went on for 5 years.... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MJwjU7bPbK-S2ho618dH0RjSWbrNVa1LMhJUg9hSNHWYtWgh7wUXY40vvw9EfpborEGWNjjUosmis8cB44pJSVS2N8vByRYzQ98L5_XsFzrkz49FoUFegEMW53MpgyxX6nYX8s9dQMc/s1600/AlyssaBubbles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MJwjU7bPbK-S2ho618dH0RjSWbrNVa1LMhJUg9hSNHWYtWgh7wUXY40vvw9EfpborEGWNjjUosmis8cB44pJSVS2N8vByRYzQ98L5_XsFzrkz49FoUFegEMW53MpgyxX6nYX8s9dQMc/s400/AlyssaBubbles2.jpg" width="308" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> i used to write a blog called alyssa's blessed journey. in that blog i wrote about our daily struggles about living "under the cancer umbrella" i shared our hopes. i shared our fears. i shared what encouraged us. i also shared what kept us going. during the first 24 hours of our journey, is when i first found God. it is when i first <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">really</u> heard him. it is when i surrendered my life to him and never looked back. that blog was where i shared it all. i wrote that blog while we were living and breathing treatment. but, then, i stopped. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtA2hxbasfHYDzHyYWg_YHrqS5VzS0dXdwpl8l1mjzSyC6bDak-Wl0Z0UOCI8dyXiMQF6NYBlqQFSNp53ZEOpvCtuoU3t4uMfGj4Zjqh1U-CUBhcK9woAjcCUC_vZoa-UHyCn093W3Q0/s1600/Sep06018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtA2hxbasfHYDzHyYWg_YHrqS5VzS0dXdwpl8l1mjzSyC6bDak-Wl0Z0UOCI8dyXiMQF6NYBlqQFSNp53ZEOpvCtuoU3t4uMfGj4Zjqh1U-CUBhcK9woAjcCUC_vZoa-UHyCn093W3Q0/s320/Sep06018.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to be quite honest although yes, our lives have <i><u><b>everything</b></u></i> to do with our daughter's brain tumor <a href="http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/community/tools/knowledgebase/Article.aspx?Hwid=nord1194">juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma of the hypothalamus</a> and we will <b><i><u>never</u></i></b> forget it and <b><i><u>never</u></i></b> be able to just pretend it's not a part of us, i found it overwhelming and consuming to not only live it, but to also write about it. it became my life to the point that no matter where we went before anyone would even say hello, the first thing out of their mouth was "how is alyssa? when is the next mri? how is treatment? does she get sick?"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> i know they mean well, but come on folks, don't you think we have other things going on besides chemotherapy and cbc counts etc? we do have a life outside that hospital. besides that, i became obsessed with finding other families who were also going through what we were and looking for <u><i><b>any</b></i></u> kids who had died because of the tumor. alyssa's tumor is rare. it is also benign and, thankfully, my research always came up with a very high survival rate. in fact i never <u><i><b>found</b></i></u> a death. the only one i ever <u><i><b>heard</b></i></u><b> </b>of was from her doctor and that was a story of a girl who they didn't catch the tumor in time. very possible because of the slow growth, it sometimes does not show signs until it is almost too late and if you are not paying close enough attention or do not know the signs, a parent could very well brush the symptoms off as just another headache. in fact, had i not known the symptoms, last april we could have very well lost alyssa. the doctors told us [after of course] she would</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> have only lived another</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">week had i not made the call when i did.</span> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">her 7th birthday. surgery was exactly 28 days later</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">see, she had made a slight enough change that too me, was not settling well in my spirit. and i couldn't shake it. headaches that would make her throw up and she'd need to lay down with a cool rag on her eyes and she couldn't stand noise [i suffer from them so i knew it was most def a migraine], she was waking up at the oddest times wanting to eat, but she would take 2 maybe 3 bites and be full, sleeping all the time, more than usual [she was in kindergarten, so i knew school was tiring with all the playing, but she'd sleep as soon as she'd get home and not want to get up for dinner], then even if you touched her head just the slightest little touch she would burst out in crock tears [brushing her hair was a nightmare]. that was my last straw. something was off. very off. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i called, we took her up that day [i made daddy go, because i just knew she'd be admitted - i thought a shunt would be put in to take pressure off her brain, nurse and i thought maybe cranial pressure for sure so excess fluid and would need to be drained. i stayed home to pack bags and set up care for the boys. our best friends would keep them while we were with alyssa. he went to the clinic, they had an emergency mri because it would show if it was indeed fluid causing the pressure. and we'd proceed with the drainage tube, or shunt, whichever they felt would be the best option. i got a call about 1pm. i was on my way to my friends house to drop the boys off. alyssa had just gotten out of the mri, it went smoothly and tony was with her waiting for the doctor who's name is ironically also, alyssa. i love it. i got to emilee's house and the boy's ran straight to carson's room after quick kisses good bye. [they had no idea what was going on. they were used to daddy or i going to birmingham with alyssa for chemotherapy or mri's, so to them, this was a treat. a sleep over with carson? score!] right then, my phone rings. i knew it was tony immediately because of the ringtone "love song" by the cure.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"hi babe. i'm just leaving ems' house. are we staying in the hospital or a hotel? does it take long to get a shunt? what do they do?" -- i ramble on without even letting him talk. ----- silence --- great. did i lose connection? [look at phone, nope. still connected] i listened again. still nothing. so, i speak. "babe? what's wrong?" he takes a long breath and with a shaky voice he barely gets out "she needs surgery. tomorrow. you were right to worry. you saved her life." i stop in my tracks and my mouth is about on the floor. i can feel the rush of blood entering my face. i need to sit. i am hot. all over. my heart speeds up. [i was expecting this. somehow i already knew. a calm washes over me.]</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "i will tell emilee. we will have everything under control as far as the boys are concerned. we won't need to worry about them. they are in good hands. i'm heading up there as soon as i talk to ems. i will call you when i'm on my way." we hung up. [of course after saying the important i love you] </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: large;">[i can't believe i was able to talk at that point. my voice was calm. it did not shake. i did not cry. inside i was. inside i was falling apart. but i was being controlled by something else that was not me. ohmyword. GOD WAS WORKING THROUGH ME. HE WAS GUIDING ME AT THAT VERY MOMENT TO HELP MY HUSBAND KNOW THAT IT IS ALL GOING TO BE OK. BECAUSE IT WILL. OH FATHER, IT REALLY WILL, WON'T IT?] </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, i go tell emilee the new scoop, this one night sleep over has just become much, much more and i have no idea what to do. [i mean, we are military. we don't have family that we can call up to ask if they can keep the boys for an unspecified amount of time so we can be with our daughter while she has brain surgery to SAVE HER LIFE! that is a lot to ask of a friend. even if is a close friend. it's just not something you can ask of just anyone.] emilee heard my conversation with tony. when i walked in the kitchen, she already knew. she took one look at me and said "give me your house key. the boys will stay here for the weekend and we will figure it all out from there. " that is my friend. that is how she is. i didn't even have to ask. she knew i didn't even have the heart to ask her myself, and i didn't have to. it was one thing to ask for a favor of a one night thing. but for an unspecified time. unheard of. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">because we didn't know how long the boys would be at emilee's house, i called our other very close friends eric and sheila [isaac and gunnar's "church best friend" ethan's parents] and they picked them up after the weekend and kept them at their house for the remainder of the time we were at the hospital with alyssa which ended up being 4 weeks. that is a long time to be away from your children. although, because most of it was spent with alyssa in ICU, it went pretty fast. the ICU is a fast paced place. i was wrapped up in visitation times [which are very odd hours] and learning about how her body was responding to medicine and how it was healing. it was a miraculous time to say the least. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">her tumor had grown three times the size it had started off at. it.was.huge. it was shaped like a heart. the most amazing thing i have ever seen. we have always trusted that God would always guide us in our decisions regarding alyssa and the tumor. we don't want to say "ok, well, let's just do this or that" we really rely on God to tell us what to do. so, when her doctor came in and said she's going into surgery tomorrow. without saying "so, we have a couple of options..." we knew it was a done deal. then, we saw the mri scan and that was our moment of pure peace and comfort. it was as if God was whispering in my ear "this is my will. it is what is to be done. i will work this for good"</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">night before surgery, alyssa made her courage beads</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i trust our team with my entire being. they know us. they respect us. they are bottom line. the best in our state. in my book. there is no other team that can do a better job. period. they explain everything to us. they treat us like family. and, better yet, they treat alyssa like family...they explain things so she will understand them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">surgery took 9 hours. straight. i.was.scared. i won't even lie. i was worried for my girl. we got phone calls through out the surgery for updates which was nice, every call meant she was alive. you have to prepare yourself for the worst. as bad as that sounds, you really do have to imagine yourself out of your body in case they come back one time to talk to you and it's not the normal phone call or you can sense something is wrong. it's the most morbid feeling you will ever have in your entire life, but it's something you have to do. i simply pray that if God decides he needs her in heaven, to please take her before she feels any pain. then i say a prayer for me. for him to give me the peace that passes all understanding and then add in there that i'd really appreciate it if he wouldn't take her just yet because i'm not quite done raising her....thankfully, he's answered my prayer to allow me to keep her.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we waited. and waited. and waited. and, we waited some more. till finally, we got the call to meet downstairs at the mri waiting room. we could hear some talking down the hall and wouldn't you know alyssa was just a talking away to the nurses while they were pushing her on her bed. it was a great sight to see. she was drugged up of course and being so very silly.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">they got 90% of that tumor. it went from the size of a <i><b><u>grapefruit</u></b></i>. yes. a <b><i><u>grapefruit</u></i></b> to the size of the tip of your thumb. look. what a difference, right? it hasn't changed since. well, it has changed slightly, it has a teeny bit of fluid in it and it grew in one area and shrunk in another so it evened it out. didn't change the shape of it. weird. so, it's the same size. september 1st marked 17 months since a successful surgery. no chemotherapy. no tumor growth. we were "graduated" to 6 month appointments [mri's every 6 months instead of every 3] and we are enjoying this no chemo break.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby4ZgcIf9a91haGW2QZrEEhq91VbN3Ppz8HSOgVOLv_Zhaa5hd-bL2bxSxn2lPQLcx3-jaVdWR-4ilNKpEizHZL6BdZB6WWZiKsnBI8IsqDloFzpxXMRrTE7ZRJCYdwbBnZRnoWwEr5U/s1600/where+to+look.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby4ZgcIf9a91haGW2QZrEEhq91VbN3Ppz8HSOgVOLv_Zhaa5hd-bL2bxSxn2lPQLcx3-jaVdWR-4ilNKpEizHZL6BdZB6WWZiKsnBI8IsqDloFzpxXMRrTE7ZRJCYdwbBnZRnoWwEr5U/s320/where+to+look.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">she did not know where to look</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3o1iA3fgd_2HqJ_znM1EAe2Xo0WheMGatQy-0lSMHFzRhpWxKfZIDUEVrCI25wFOc_8Sr99x5IwXHHW9gNMUaVX-AioTNAcqB_AZmD2CSc8GO_gMxphg8AlH0495A9_I8Rmi-isAz9Sk/s1600/so+sweet....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3o1iA3fgd_2HqJ_znM1EAe2Xo0WheMGatQy-0lSMHFzRhpWxKfZIDUEVrCI25wFOc_8Sr99x5IwXHHW9gNMUaVX-AioTNAcqB_AZmD2CSc8GO_gMxphg8AlH0495A9_I8Rmi-isAz9Sk/s320/so+sweet....jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">asleep, in icu about 5 days after surgery</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">surgery claimed alyssa's left eye. the vision, not the actual eye ball. and, her vision in the right eye is quite bad. think of it as tunnel vision. can you imagine living like that? she is considered "visually impaired" or "partially blind" it does effect her. but she manages quite well. there are certain times that we pay closer attention to her and make sure she knows to pay attention to her surroundings, but more often than not, she gets used to her environment quite fast and makes it hers. she is not a fan of big crowds as you can imagine and when walking, holding hands with someone makes her more at ease so they can warn her if there is a curb in case it's not marked properly. you don't notice these things until you learn to "need" to. she reads books, she writes stories, she plays outside, dances, swims, you name it. she does it. she can't run [although she would love to] very much because the medicine she takes can dehydrate her very fast. playing contact sports or anything that has to do with a ball is out of the picture. she loves cheerleading, ballet, and singing. i love her go getem' attitude. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in icu she got her hair braided</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we don't treat her differently than we do her brothers. i confess i used to baby her. i mean, seriously? do you really expect me not to treat my little girl who has a brain tumor like any normal kid? sorry, i have no idea if what tomorrow is going to bring for her. what problems will arise. so, let me do this. i don't care if i spoil her. until i noticed that she was expecting things from everyone. that got cut off real quick. ooh kids can pick up little habits so fast! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl3XQbO3TuIMlEHSU5nPlBnKH61BiiTpU3bci-TCk7NFB477OD0ZQCSwmQQ59KJtWhqbGk_WMR8w7abkMAO3o0EFoiyXClml8i6V0P27M_Q-NB2GY6P-SYQw_ltus9393vTC15TffkKo/s1600/lyseedkb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl3XQbO3TuIMlEHSU5nPlBnKH61BiiTpU3bci-TCk7NFB477OD0ZQCSwmQQ59KJtWhqbGk_WMR8w7abkMAO3o0EFoiyXClml8i6V0P27M_Q-NB2GY6P-SYQw_ltus9393vTC15TffkKo/s320/lyseedkb.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so, she is 8 now. i understand why some of the moms that reached out to me when we first got diagnosed no longer update their blogs. they too have moved on from that life. you have to eventually. how will you ever grow if you don't venture? like i said, it will always be a part of us. forever. but, do i have to share it with everyone - all the time - in every conversation? no. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hEeRkYu1jWqpIGPbyvLh0kqy6D-21SLjHNRtlKGv-YUBXa4vTxf9KkZ55FlVQ1ASosgLdEvRbcj7RPSwymhVnOBn_r0wRVGxRC5FBG3SJDD_jRxl2HCKliZlVlFqllo8nmUjvfvxrRI/s1600/pedi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hEeRkYu1jWqpIGPbyvLh0kqy6D-21SLjHNRtlKGv-YUBXa4vTxf9KkZ55FlVQ1ASosgLdEvRbcj7RPSwymhVnOBn_r0wRVGxRC5FBG3SJDD_jRxl2HCKliZlVlFqllo8nmUjvfvxrRI/s320/pedi.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it's about balance. i want alyssa to stay grounded. is she special? you bet your life she is. does she know it? eh, she knows she's a child of God. she knows that she's loved. she knows that she has a brain tumor and she can't see out of her left eye and she needs a magnifying glass to read. she knows she needs to make sure she raises her hand if she doesn't understand something in school. does that make her any more special than anyone else? no. i don't want her to let anything get to her head. her conversations don't need to be "hi, i'm alyssa, i have a brain tumor, what's your super power?" so, yes, she is so special she rocks the house, but, the difference is she has no clue just how special she really is.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEDssihdoMLLiEZs6nflx9JCKxyhTkk6CYwBJA0jgCNWhiSUUkwx2pFV2gaZMb6LrQDapC8zKkSFgGqheSUe2n-oCoejMA6N2NykEjRk2pGwpw83WuNycgE2K3Oe3hQaKhGelVncMXR4/s1600/grad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEDssihdoMLLiEZs6nflx9JCKxyhTkk6CYwBJA0jgCNWhiSUUkwx2pFV2gaZMb6LrQDapC8zKkSFgGqheSUe2n-oCoejMA6N2NykEjRk2pGwpw83WuNycgE2K3Oe3hQaKhGelVncMXR4/s400/grad.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 month after brain surgery, alyssa graduated on time with her kindergarten class! we were so happy for her and it was such an exciting time to actually see her attend this event! she was showered with hugs and we were over joyed for her. this was by far one of the happiest days we had in a long time! first grade was a success and second grade has been wonderful so far too! nothing has stopped her. cancer may have taken her vision, but it has not taken her drive!</span></td></tr>
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<br /></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-18483517895253178312011-09-08T18:02:00.000-07:002011-09-13T19:09:16.580-07:00i'm a bloggy mom, are you?<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://bloggymoms.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="a mom blog community!" src="http://api.ning.com/files/*zB*JGAoJEE8MRthCvsIC5UtqHD3h*C-sxBfKylL7rSrrSFP6nvbXaVyp4vZ6A3xZ4ti0Uwv52xXqOqBj9I5F3o37C-byOEI/bloggymomsbutton.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">if you are not a member,<br />
you need to be!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />it all started on tuesday night. does this ever happen to you? you find a blog by chance? well, of course it does, but, do you ever forget how you found it? because, to tell you the truth, i have no clue how i ended stumbling across this site! i will tell you, i am very grateful i found her though! so, this is where the story begins. <br /><br />i linked up to my <a href="http://www.adventuresasasmalltownmom.com/">new fabulous friend's blog</a> and have entered this whole new world! i know, that may sound a bit drastic. but seriously. i went from basically talking to myself to now having <b>12</b> followers! [that was at last check] and i couldn't be more excited! i know 12 followers is not very much and compaired to some of the other "big baller" blogs [har har har] it's nothing, but to me, it's everything. to me, it means that what i'm writing is ___________ good/funny/interesting/catching/pulling/ [you can put any word in that little blank] for you to first take the time to follow me on google friend connect [GFC], and second, leave me a comment to encourage me. <br /><br />i know you have been here, where i am, before you got to your first 20 followers. it's not that i feel unimportant. because, i do know that if you truly have a passion for something, and you put forth the effort in that passion, you will succeed. but, you have to keep your focus. so, i do appreciate the comments. i do appreciate you following me and giving me that little boost i needed to know that the hard work i have put into this blog has not been for just "another on line journal".<br /><br />i was introduced to a <b> </b></span><i style="color: blue; font-size: xx-large;"><b>blog hop</b> </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and let me say i have had so much fun this week, it's quite ridiculous really. <br /><br />first, you link up to a party. check. i found one. by accident. but, hey, there aren't rules. you don't make an appointment. you do this to make friends! to get your blog exposure! i linked up, and literally started clicking blog after blog. the linking party i joined was called "wordless wednesday" which, i will continue to be a part of...for a long time. i don't quite get the whole wordless thing. at first i didn't post any words. but, as i read other blogs i saw that they did. so of course, i am a girl of many many words, so i just can't <b><i><u>not</u></i></b> write. i went back and typed up a little story to go with my inspirational pictures. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">well, after visiting blog after blog, linking to this one and that one. following the ones that completely sparked my interest, liked them on facebook, followed them on twitter [yes, i totally cyber stalk -- but i know everyone is totally ok with that, as am i] i started noticing the same button. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bloggymoms.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="a mom blog community!" src="http://api.ning.com/files/*zB*JGAoJEE8MRthCvsIC5UtqHD3h*C-sxBfKylL7rSrrSFP6nvbXaVyp4vZ6A3xZ4ti0Uwv52xXqOqBj9I5F3o37C-byOEI/bloggymomsbutton.png" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ok, so not the exact same one as above, that's just the one i chose to use for this post [you can see the other buttons on my side bar] but regardless, they are all advertising for <a href="http://www.bloggymoms.com/">bloggy moms</a>; a little slice of internet heaven. =)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">if you are a mom + a blogger this will be the perfect match for you. i got nosey after seeing it on so many of the blogs i liked, and man i am <b><i><u>so</u></i></b> happy i did. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">there are groups you can join</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you can blog </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">find friends, add friends, invite friends,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> find other mom's who are blogging <u>in</u> <u>your</u> <u>area</u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> blog hop through bloggy moms</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and much, much more!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">take a little time and check out <a href="http://www.bloggymoms.com/">bloggy moms</a>, believe me, you will be happy you did!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and oh by the way, did i forget to mention, it's free? ya, that. totally free!</i></b></span></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-64320681808795922552011-09-07T00:00:00.000-07:002011-09-13T19:09:16.583-07:00w-o-r-d-l-e-s-s = w-e-d-n-e-s-d-a-y [it brings out the kid in me]<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">wordless wednesday</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">[a linking party on a school night]</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><b>ww #1 [it brings out the kid in me]</b></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">this is my first entry for wordless wednesday. so, i figured there was no better way than to show you who i am by finding little tidbits of inspirational photography that brings out my inner child. i love [LURV] being a wife and mom. i am THAT mom who {rEaLlY} plays with her kids. i mean, gets on their level, even if that means on the floor, in the dirt, in her best jeans, rolling, YES, rolling in it, laughing [LoUdLy], because they can be washed & this moment, the one right now, yes, right now, where i am on the ground, in the dirt, with my child, rolling around, and seeing the gleam in his eyes, that, THAT, will be etched in his memory fOrEvEr, & he will one day, reenact it, & his heart will over flow with the joy that he gets from the gleam he sees in his child's eyes. the jeans won't matter. the dirt won't matter. making memories. it's about the memories. below are all captured memories. sometimes we all just need to sit back and take ourselves there again...even if just for a moment.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">finger painting...lets get dirty</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://mummyico.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIphCCqAypnCXv4UCujuSOgXjQINO59B50m83okMcs-Cu9ozr7F547F5UxmIVEoZe741Tvf3ra0ZHOO8eeDId-7OOznMp34MVLVrv3qj46nY050g4JRt7GjyE6UKNrREwEuNJo_UxwGx4/s1600/mummycinoww.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mummycino.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mummy cino</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">bike ride...with the family</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.abloggablelife.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a bloggable life</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">swing...really high</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFwRiO4vyggwMu7Z4f6XBbVDzQyi3tM55MRex0BXulV5ME63QqN4xnSelVHy3yLG4XDdprbh9C9_2Uq898QZIrNzFdooEDHuMRInJjSN-Fuv4eaufOWhuUvKmFQsxTmaAPuBjJ3GBK7g/s1600/clayinhishandswordlessw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFwRiO4vyggwMu7Z4f6XBbVDzQyi3tM55MRex0BXulV5ME63QqN4xnSelVHy3yLG4XDdprbh9C9_2Uq898QZIrNzFdooEDHuMRInJjSN-Fuv4eaufOWhuUvKmFQsxTmaAPuBjJ3GBK7g/s1600/clayinhishandswordlessw.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.clayinhishands.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">clay in his hands</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">lay on a hammock...and take a nap</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUKQC35mWvu5-ZJZMpfZaDoZ8_fA9ZDa86GBCc-xstQVIIA9SxiDMvIF-nkwrnXqakkOlHqEJs-kXQkFRdzkOWqFpSjY2y8RAG2RCoSMXZZ447fjnnO8iWOrmgHc6lq5-vWVcPPYC354/s1600/enpaperblogww.jpg" /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.enpaper.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">en paper</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sidewalk art...for the whole family</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.sheenastephens.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">life in liberty canyon</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">this bike is just so retro...i love it</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTuV_fa2PCx9bOADNA2n3KAssEy-ibq64Te49toYdMilT_IyaHKGETAOyd-ey19ik-qBe4A3aDAJTtEYpf2CGvXdKKCOrWTSzteBacc0525_QSSGZmdMto4xfzc4NNbeuNeP7qrfs3ho/s1600/wordlesswednesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTuV_fa2PCx9bOADNA2n3KAssEy-ibq64Te49toYdMilT_IyaHKGETAOyd-ey19ik-qBe4A3aDAJTtEYpf2CGvXdKKCOrWTSzteBacc0525_QSSGZmdMto4xfzc4NNbeuNeP7qrfs3ho/s1600/wordlesswednesday.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.abloggablelife.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a bloggable life</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">run in the grass barefoot...play tag...freeze tag!</span></div>
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<a href="http://sgtandmrshub.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sgt and mrs hub</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">get the biggest lolli you can find...and share it. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mcpactions.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mcp actions</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i love rain boots. wearing them reminds me of being a kid.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdOX7O0g3g1KM_sWMGIWSEGqtTlzujh4BwjXUB0UWsmciCikgQKs78Lr9_HBd8ahRVSNYJkEP01Hny9UFjEjQX8p6ib9LaNFlts2r9hNJfVp6AIe9Lp8MlFQGqoiQLWgTkAsi4Gqhar4/s1600/rainbootfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdOX7O0g3g1KM_sWMGIWSEGqtTlzujh4BwjXUB0UWsmciCikgQKs78Lr9_HBd8ahRVSNYJkEP01Hny9UFjEjQX8p6ib9LaNFlts2r9hNJfVp6AIe9Lp8MlFQGqoiQLWgTkAsi4Gqhar4/s1600/rainbootfall.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sarahjio.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sarah jio</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">go rollerskating...and play shoot the duck!</span></div>
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<a href="http://weheartit.com/tag/roller%20skates"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">roller skates</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">go puddle jumping...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_i_3XhbeONjKNsQwUaI4RQDb4x8N1QkSrvKDNjjkKlzajTjST8z7dysJUqfS87Ny0xBlaBUArejk19p8YluoRyteb03LYAVfRo6oM8nn_8qBgSASHyFSgrNdfY3klad5f2_a57ARavc/s1600/christinaeredbubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_i_3XhbeONjKNsQwUaI4RQDb4x8N1QkSrvKDNjjkKlzajTjST8z7dysJUqfS87Ny0xBlaBUArejk19p8YluoRyteb03LYAVfRo6oM8nn_8qBgSASHyFSgrNdfY3klad5f2_a57ARavc/s1600/christinaeredbubble.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://christinae.redbubble.com/sets/49285/works/2545142-puddle-jumping"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">christina captures</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">what are your favorite things to do with your kids that bring you back to your childhood? what about those huge slides at the fair? if they'd let me, i'd go in the jumpy castle =) share your stories in the comments section! can't wait to see what you have to say!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">don't forget to link to the partay! if you decide to become a "follower" that's awesome! i will show the love right back at~cha! </span></div>
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</script>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-87616316262868336042011-09-06T11:19:00.000-07:002011-09-13T19:09:16.578-07:00cinnamon facial ~ burn baby, burn!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQhQpGOiyUhAW7I7W0tNOe67xovjUe43SSGG572jVuRyeGC_Wmys7krq_JrKgVB8NVbyULWttv2ZnzxLTiai3SrJ2ICsmmnSSOlrYLcAr3UrNmbyy9ioDj8Ya3QB5gQzbh8ch-57Qsog/s1600/facialpost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQhQpGOiyUhAW7I7W0tNOe67xovjUe43SSGG572jVuRyeGC_Wmys7krq_JrKgVB8NVbyULWttv2ZnzxLTiai3SrJ2ICsmmnSSOlrYLcAr3UrNmbyy9ioDj8Ya3QB5gQzbh8ch-57Qsog/s320/facialpost.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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*disclaimer: this facial is not meant to treat, cure or prevent acne or any other skin problem. the author/creator of this post [erikakey] or host of this blog [blogspot.com] do not claim responsibility for any adverse reaction that you may encounter. consumer applies mask at own risk and by applying mask you are acknowledging that you are aware that mask may burn skin, irritate eyes, cause redness, itchiness and peeling. if any of these reactions occur, rinse mask off with water, pat with dry face towel and apply soothing moisturizer once face has air dried. i have mentioned severe/worse case scenario. by experimenting with at-home facial, consumer accepts all responsibility and revokes any right to take legal action against either the author of blog/webhost.* </div>
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<span class="font-size-4" style="font-size: 14pt !important; line-height: normal !important;">burn baby burn</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-4" style="font-size: 14pt !important; line-height: normal !important;">it's a home-made</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-4" style="font-size: 14pt !important; line-height: normal !important;">[a black head removal technique]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">are you wondering why my face looks like i have mud on it? well, it's not mud. at the time, i would have much rather had mud on my face believe me. this my friends is what i call the "burn baby burn" facial. here are the ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">1T cinnamon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">1T brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">1T sea salt </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">1T olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">1T lime juice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">1/2 T milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">in a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">put onto face like a mask</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">let dry [if it burns, only wear for as long as you can possibly stand]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">rinse, cleanse using normal routine; may repeat once a week</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">oh friends, i would love to hear your experience after trying this facial. my first time trying this facial i did not use milk. i thought i was going to cry. the above picture was taken literally 5 seconds before i was about to lose it. after i snapped the picture, i threw my face in the running shower, i didn't care that my entire shirt was getting wet in the shower, my face was on fire. if you look closely, under my eyes, where the mask is you can see the redness, and you can see it near my lip and on my chin. it burned like crazy! my skin was BEET red for almost 2 hours! it's the cinnamon. the next time i did the facial, i added milk [my sister's suggestion] and it was much better. she also suggested adding honey, but i didn't have any. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">i will admit, the blemishes i did have were not as noticeable the following day so the cinnamon, salt and lime did do their job in that aspect. my skin also felt tighter and thanks to the olive oil it was soft. i was very happy with that. home facials are very beneficial as far as knowing exactly what is in them as well. it's a nice feeling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"> so, don't let the burning scare you off. hey, it smells really good. it's better than the egg facial. i can't do that one. ick. that's just down right deeee-ssscusting. [i think i threw up a little in my mouth just thinking about it] </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">and on that note i say toodle-oooh</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><b><i>happy anniversary to my hubster tony; 9 years ago today, you became my mister...you're my happily ever after...</i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-91379803491021273982011-09-05T00:02:00.000-07:002011-09-13T18:25:21.299-07:00oh me oh my<div style="text-align: center;">
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ok, let me just be honest. i have been working on my blog for 2 weeks. yes. 2 weeks. every day while the kids are at school. gunnar has been playing with my iphone reading the books [better yet, they are reading to him but it's still learning, right?] that i downloaded for him so i can get this set up. this is not as easy as everyone makes it sound. i love blogs such as <a href="http://www.tatertotsandjello.com/">tater tots & jello</a>, <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/">the house of smiths</a> and my all time favorite is by far </div>
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<a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/">the idea room</a>. these websites are put together so well. i love them to pieces! they make me want to come back for more! of course we all know that good blogging has tons to do with first and foremost - a good camera. i will be investing in one of those soon. very soon. secondly - you need to have a clean, crisp, background. well, thanks to the girls at <a href="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/">the cutest blog on the block</a> i not only got a great background, i snagged a few buttons and read up on their "secrets" and learned a few tips from them! they will also create a custom web page for you if you contact them! they also write a blog which you can check out <a href="http://2momstalk.blogspot.com/">2 moms talk</a> these ladies are awesome in my book! third - you need to have a site that is easy to navigate through...and then finally have content that is worth reading. well, i think i have all my ducks in a row. it's a learning process and unless you pay someone [as i'm sure some do] i will be learning all the tricks as i blog along....ahem....i welcome any tips you may have! like, how do you post in additional pages? for example, i have the <a href="http://doorknobsandbruises.blogspot.com/p/when-fruit-come-out-to-play.html">when the fruit come out to play</a> page. i'd love to post little stories about the kids in there. or make a page for tutorials...and have all the tutorials in there. does anyone know how to do this? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFsHtJ2_POa833mSkssi9-T_DU03eLbd_rqOcMlx5EgmicO83Sx37MeaMvKchkb-52EVAXCNTklBgcAhUv10Z67cMKC-HQcGMXKdPx0z6kvUIa20QxzB9y8P8pbIJtbmnic5fTIEnoqg/s1600/write..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFsHtJ2_POa833mSkssi9-T_DU03eLbd_rqOcMlx5EgmicO83Sx37MeaMvKchkb-52EVAXCNTklBgcAhUv10Z67cMKC-HQcGMXKdPx0z6kvUIa20QxzB9y8P8pbIJtbmnic5fTIEnoqg/s1600/write..jpg" /></a></div>
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i have to give a big thank you to my friend <a href="http://humasattars.wordpress.com/">huma</a> who is the sweetest blogging buddy i have. seriously, she reached out to me after i posted a comment on <a href="http://thelittlehenhouse.com/">the little hen house</a> [a blog that we both openly & admittedly stalk & i might add morgan, the blog owner totally encourages stalking so it's ok] stating a problem i was having with a html she had written. she asked me to e-mail her and she'd fix the code. from that point on we became friends. we have exchanged e-mails back and forth, usually me telling her what i have accomplished thanks to her. she has explained so much and has given me the confidence to actually do the research and that's how i found all the information above. SCORE! i am so happy to have found her! she is quite hilarious too which is a bonus. i mean, come on, we can't read a blog if the writer has dry humor can we? i think not. and , i mean, how often can we say that we write a blog owner and get a response? ok, so i didn't actually write huma personally, but i have written other blog owners that i absolutely adore [to whom will remain nameless] that say they love to get e-mail, and asked for advice, but did not get a response. huma wrote me without me even asking her for advice. to me, that's super cool. and, that shows that she's a team player. so, in honor of how awesome my bloggy world friend huma is, i encourage you to go stop by <a href="http://humasattars.wordpress.com/">huma's page</a> and show her some love. grab her button, share her page, like her on facebook. and tell her erika sent you --- she'll get a giggle outta that!</div>
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toodles!</div>
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door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-55395876510992870682011-09-04T19:58:00.000-07:002011-09-09T19:12:12.460-07:00my new happy place<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">who doesn't think an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">aqua </span>purse is just a fabulous find?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i, for one just find it beautiful with every fiber of my body. thank you thank you thank you for <a href="http://www.aprettypennyblog.com/">sharing</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEhY4VqRvs2wYm-tlTACo6x9P18eMjqy5FTCZoZYA4ts-p9rxrx7ikC8fk5EwUpNYH_ya8s_q13QkqdXkjbTNfJ75cwvS5K7R8yC1HzHBJL9s0Kf7Dq569NAuz6Z7jL1yEuRAZjW9w3U/s1600/aprettypennyblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEhY4VqRvs2wYm-tlTACo6x9P18eMjqy5FTCZoZYA4ts-p9rxrx7ikC8fk5EwUpNYH_ya8s_q13QkqdXkjbTNfJ75cwvS5K7R8yC1HzHBJL9s0Kf7Dq569NAuz6Z7jL1yEuRAZjW9w3U/s1600/aprettypennyblog.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">on a bad hair day, how cute is this? i mean, really? the color, the texture, the lovely. oh the lovely.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sadly, the etsy shop that this headband was found on is no longer open, but you can view <a href="http://pinterest.com/dknobsnbruises/">my style board</a> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">for other inspirations</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPTSGZZ2pc_8PFGmOn9OeF1DC1lZpA8tU-buLgMY7h8Q99K1YR_YTNu70wfaqiYZY4sm07r38-bJaKc8q1aRkz2mwvibdjrOUSZz9CpXMJC1xModks_rrI9tyUFU7J2mq9Kz72oo4A88/s1600/etsyhair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPTSGZZ2pc_8PFGmOn9OeF1DC1lZpA8tU-buLgMY7h8Q99K1YR_YTNu70wfaqiYZY4sm07r38-bJaKc8q1aRkz2mwvibdjrOUSZz9CpXMJC1xModks_rrI9tyUFU7J2mq9Kz72oo4A88/s320/etsyhair.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">this outfit WILL be mine. i [HEART] <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">polyvore</a> you just have no clue. you can create an outfit and find out where to get it, and even set a budget because [oh yes ladies are you holding your breath yet?] it not only tells you where to find it, it tells you the price! [squueeeel!] so, thank you *polyV* i only wish you would have been around earlier. below, is an outfit I lurv. you can also find it on <a href="http://pinterest.com/dknobsnbruises/">my style board</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTMmNfnxctfm6ROaCq4XLPXDv-roqRF9ox7cSbhabZlhIT2-XnEzoAp2Y_MuQdf9pL3gO608Ye7MMx1x0lAKhx9d9H39pGwReiSHamoRj_0V25pRwSSBvoDZ2Wf7-bojgeDZ1aFmHS0Q/s1600/polyvore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTMmNfnxctfm6ROaCq4XLPXDv-roqRF9ox7cSbhabZlhIT2-XnEzoAp2Y_MuQdf9pL3gO608Ye7MMx1x0lAKhx9d9H39pGwReiSHamoRj_0V25pRwSSBvoDZ2Wf7-bojgeDZ1aFmHS0Q/s1600/polyvore.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; line-height: 19px;">Welcome to my happy place...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.if you haven't figured out what i'm talking about, you are about to be introduced to a wonderful place! it's better than window shopping. i've heard it dubbed "the new crack" although i'm not a crack addict, i am a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">pinterest</a> addict. on a level i can't quite honestly explain. yes, i visit it daily. multiple times. i love it. it's like shopping but you aren't spending any money at all. i am making my dream list and keeping a list but not having to write it down. it is saving beautiful pictures for me and oh joy [if i weren't busy typing i'd be clapping my hands] i can visit these pictures anytime i want. i can follow my favorite bloggers, and the people who inspire me and get this the people who inspire them! yes. isn't that just the neatest thing ever?!! if you haven't already joined the pinterest train, you really should stop by. e-mail me and i will send you an invite, because there is a waiting list. YES, it's THAT popular so you HAVE to know someone! isn't that crazy? so, i will spread the love and invite you. i cross my heart, girl scout honor, send you an invite and you can start pinning. but, be warned. it IS addicting. and fun. and makes you feel oh so happy. so. come on over and join the happy side. it's fabulous! you will see! so, what are you waiting for?? get on over there and start <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">pinning!</a></span></span></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219500614508702884.post-26139235132258756882011-09-04T16:57:00.000-07:002011-09-13T19:09:16.581-07:00alright summer, it's time to say farewell!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlq8vHBPQsZNGkc2MhSPe2RNgh9Ue0OzwOrsdNX7r0dE-BnsFBzP7vTxLMXiFFPwQt5je6k-Buvp89KIEOvx_dh8Ywb7-tWu2a1ZcK8Kcn9YTS5LVPUvYom80HwQoJqm_TMiMlGfIiiw/s1600/FALL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlq8vHBPQsZNGkc2MhSPe2RNgh9Ue0OzwOrsdNX7r0dE-BnsFBzP7vTxLMXiFFPwQt5je6k-Buvp89KIEOvx_dh8Ywb7-tWu2a1ZcK8Kcn9YTS5LVPUvYom80HwQoJqm_TMiMlGfIiiw/s320/FALL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="color: #f02e0e;" style="color: #f02e0e;">i don't know </span></strong><span data-mce-style="color: #f02e0e;" style="color: #f02e0e;">about you, but when september rolls around, i think of leaves changing colors, cooler days and even cooler nights. apple cider and the smells of cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg floating in the air. guess what folks. i live in the south. my dream of the perfect crisp air and smell of the first wood being burned in the neighbor's fireplace [i say neighbor because i don't have one -- next house, yes, it's on the list] i just love the smell of burning wood. mmmm mmmm gives me the warm fuzzies. so, in honor of yearning for the cooler weather i will be posting in a "fall" color...burnt orange. love this color. love.it.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #f02e0e;" style="color: #f02e0e;">i get happy knowing the holiday's are just around the corner. kid's parties at school are coming up, fun festivities will be happening soon. all the time to meet other parents and hang out with new people and parents we haven't seen since last year. it's just an all around fun time. except the shopping. i do not enjoy the shopping. i'd rather just skip that. crowds bother me. a lot. like a lot a lot. to the point i get sick a lot. gives me the heebie jeebie's just thinking about it right now. i get the sweats and nauseated. i guess i get clausterphobic. i bet i would do horribly in a big crowded city like new york. i've always wanted to visit there too. </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #f02e0e;" style="color: #f02e0e;">so, although i live in the south. and it seems that the heat will never leave, it will one day do just that. and when it does, the cooler air will take it's place and i will then be pulling out my scarves and wool coat and boots and i just can't wait. you just have no idea. i'm looking forward to the day that i can put my makeup on and not be sweating by the time i am either heading out of the house or even before that. [mind you, i do have pcos -- if you have this syndrome you know what i'm talking about -- so i am hot all.of.the.time] </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #f02e0e;" style="color: #f02e0e;">so i leave you with this. are you ready for the season to change? is it just me or does it seem that this summer has been the longest summer e-v-e-r???</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #f02e0e;" style="color: #f02e0e;"> <a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/3907989">click here to see where i found the fall picture</a> </span></div>door knobs & bruiseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894717235939350406noreply@blogger.com0