tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12824133938317402762024-03-13T08:06:08.623-07:00The ElstonianIrenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-89499608763515154262010-08-10T19:44:00.000-07:002010-08-10T19:44:48.855-07:00same as it ever was...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Always on the fringe. Rarely an active participant, even when I (do) try. Not because I made it that way (or did I?), but because it's how you prefer it (IMO). Too many years of status quo to think a change can happen...the longer it goes on, the more it becomes set in stone- this is how it will always be (the haves & the haves not). Kind of sad, but kind of twisted too. It doesn't (shouldn't) have to be like that. But before it can change, you'd have to WANT to change it, you'd have to acknowledge there's even an issue, you'd have to call yourself out. Won't happen. Won't change. You like the status quo. Everyone in their assigned roles. Same as it ever was.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Is it me? Maybe. I didn't exactly start out this journey working on ensuring my position in this tree. If I would have... would I be part of 'the haves'? Or would I <i>still</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> be part of 'the haves not'? The latter. My role was decided for me long before I even knew we were all up for parts. Had I or the people looking out for me known there was a role to prep for, well, let's be honest...we probably would've asked for crib notes. fml.</span>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-75411670546434974832010-06-23T20:32:00.000-07:002010-06-23T20:32:56.642-07:00bloggy love...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Finding a new blog to read for me is the same as what I imagine some people feel when they get the latest issue of </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">InStyle</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> or </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Elle</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> in their hands. It literally is like finding a long lost source to feed my creativity, which is corked up for the time being (coming to an end soon? we shall see). I‘ve written about my love for blogs </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://elstonian.blogspot.com/search/label/DIY">before</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">, and lately have found myself more and more drawn to DIY home improvement/decorating blogs. Which- when I think about it, kinda doesn’t really make all that much sense because <b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1.</span></b> I don’t own a home <b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2.</span></b> I’m currently living in somewhat of a short term rental house (story still developing) that I really don’t want to invest a lot of time and sweat on and <b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">3.</span></b> most importantly because my ‘discretionary fund’ budget is well…non-existent at the moment *insert sad trombone sound here please*. Thank you. So a lot of times reading these blogs just leaves me bummed that I can’t do one/all of these things in my home (I’m still dying to tackle something from </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.knock-offwood.com/">KOW</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">). One of my regular/daily reads is </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">. I found them maybe about four months ago and once I did I quickly added them to my <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1277347035_0" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Google reader</span> and devoured their archives for two days straight! I swear their archives could be a stand alone encyclopedia set of new homeowner how to’s. If you don’t know them or haven’t ever visited them, hurry up! Go! Go! What this young couple has done with their ranch style home is nothing short of Amazingness. Through their </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/06/reader-redesign-brick-be-gone/">Reader Redesign</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> post the other day I found a new blog to love, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://shoppingcandy.blogspot.com/">Shopping Candy</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">. The blogger (Jolie) is chronicling the “</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">journey from beginning to everything in between”</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">of owning her first home in <span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">much the same way as <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/about-2/">Sherry & John</a> of YHL. I think the reason I’m so drawn to blogs like these is because I’m much more a fan of older homes than new ones. I’m particularly drawn to homes built in the post-war era to just about the 60’s, and don’t even get me started on the mid century modern iconic homes of </span></span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1277347035_1" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1359144458">Eichler</a></span></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Eichler"> </a>and </span></span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.portlandmodern.com/pdxmod/rummer/index.html">Rummer</a></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">- um…Die! Anything after that and it becomes more of a case by case basis for me. I just find older homes to have more charm & character than newer ones. Which is especially true in the area I live </span></span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.kbhome.com/Community~CommID~00350373.aspx">in</a></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">, the land of the </span></span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMansion">McMansions</a></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> and cookie cutter subdivisions- hello </span></span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weeds_(TV_series)">Agrestic</a>!</span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> Not that there’s anything wrong with that…there’s actually one home, that is newer, that if I’m honest…I do very much covet and if someone said<i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">‘here you go, it’s yours’</span></i> I would move in before they could move out! Aside from that <u style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">one</u> house, new is just not my type.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Ok so back to what this post was about, Jolie and her lovely </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://shoppingcandy.blogspot.com/">blog</a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">. I really love all of the </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://shoppingcandy.blogspot.com/2009/12/finished-chalk-board.html">little</a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> and </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://shoppingcandy.blogspot.com/2009/11/floors-are-being-installed.html">major</a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> things she’s done with her home since she moved in. She’s made it feel modern, yet cozy and homey. I love the light and airy feel and all the wall colors she’s chosen so far, check out her room before and after transformations <a href="http://shoppingcandy.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-house-before-after-pictures.html">here</a>. I’ve just added her to my Google reader and I’m looking forward to having one more house-envy blog to squee over when it updates. When you get a chance, make sure to show her some love and visit her blog, you never know, you just may find your new blog-session.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">From this</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><img height="213" src="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/06/Reader-Jolie-Before.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">To this</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><img height="234" src="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/06/Reader-Jolie-After.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> <a href="http://shoppingcandy.blogspot.com/2010/01/officelaundry-room.html">image source</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">some of the house deco blogs in my reader right now:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://tart-house.blogspot.com/">tart house</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://shoppingcandy.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-house-before-after-pictures.html">young house love</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.knock-offwood.com/">knock of wood</a></span></span></div>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-72071721443367579552010-05-27T20:40:00.000-07:002010-05-28T19:27:49.865-07:00recession friendly (adult) beverages...Well hello Ms. Golden!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w6oqRspdX3v9tQo7MaXsJXCl3i1y3AOCdQvvcFTeUmN4dJUmGacDSBVEAKKCAUgbSGwviJeXdgtiwsJfqJ-A7ROGUJMYm7Llzj-Wp0ITj9jnDzU6FaXB6nf-4P4UarHRBbX8BzuyE1I/s1600/IMGP2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w6oqRspdX3v9tQo7MaXsJXCl3i1y3AOCdQvvcFTeUmN4dJUmGacDSBVEAKKCAUgbSGwviJeXdgtiwsJfqJ-A7ROGUJMYm7Llzj-Wp0ITj9jnDzU6FaXB6nf-4P4UarHRBbX8BzuyE1I/s320/IMGP2191.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/ks_wine/#pg1">Kirkland Signature Golden Margarita</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/ks_wine/#pg1"></a> I've never really been a fan of pre-mixed, just add ice anything. I don't know, something about not being able to add the perfect dash of this, the one shot or maybe two of creating your own after dinner drink has never seemed right to me. Until now. When you think of what goes into creating the perfect margarita, the triple sec, tequila, grand marnier you could be out a good $40 dollars if you're using quality product. Which is why I call this the recessionista margarita! This bottle is $10 worth of just add ice refreshment. I highly recommend picking one up next time you find your self at your local Costco. No that wasn't a typo, yes, this bottle is $10 whole dollars and since it's Costco, hurry! There's no telling how much longer this will be in stores.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theels-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001K3YL38&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theels-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000FUJ2LI&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theels-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000H2MEKU&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theels-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000796F1W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-39812754720253581992010-05-27T16:40:00.000-07:002010-05-27T20:48:11.643-07:00the (girl) in the (pink) pajamas...actually...more like the pink hello kitty velour track suit! <br />
Today marks the official start of Kaitlyn's summer vacation. I'm trying like crazy to plan a variety of things to make August 9th feel like it took only a couple of weeks to get here- more on that later. In the meantime, I expect a lot of this....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDSnBjBadCaHIZtb6r4wqHiwDl5EjUvAY-vDe-UCMI3i5t3Ee115ibmbM8Qz82OVuLk0Vhc_wOEIqt4EDC4zuzUiCZaoiAMhlWRTl8EeU-MRJOhkqHZ4Oni1QLL67rKPIHy6TXAyz4lE/s1600/IMGP2282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDSnBjBadCaHIZtb6r4wqHiwDl5EjUvAY-vDe-UCMI3i5t3Ee115ibmbM8Qz82OVuLk0Vhc_wOEIqt4EDC4zuzUiCZaoiAMhlWRTl8EeU-MRJOhkqHZ4Oni1QLL67rKPIHy6TXAyz4lE/s400/IMGP2282.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
going on. Yup, that's Kaitlyn and our neighbor H planning out their day. They can spend hours sitting in front of each other like this, fence between them, each with their own pile of toys, books, etc just playing. <br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theels-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000YJAIUY&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theels-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00021HBU4&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theels-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001R10FWY&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-54090967749381944952010-05-12T19:29:00.000-07:002010-05-12T19:33:20.675-07:00my yearly high 5...It is apropo that since we now live in the <a href="http://www.cityofhesperia.us/">High Desert</a> I should get a cactus garden rather than a basket of <a href="http://www.wave-rave.com/">wave</a> petunias. This I love! My 8yo got it so right, this is the most perfect gift. You see I do not posses a green thumb so I am fairly confident that these cuties actually have a shot of being around this time next year. Yey me!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cdNCYH_mAuZXWTMtPtnUFvkfPc7XD_XA5GCYCLahLDfuwia4XD2uMW8PlFYPJUcNjYNdFqJS32LPLuyzyHNBCJhyv0_5umhtRFrBQaae1lv55Uq-hIJ1S6dkArVoj5IbNhwSJLJZl0k/s1600/IMGP2169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cdNCYH_mAuZXWTMtPtnUFvkfPc7XD_XA5GCYCLahLDfuwia4XD2uMW8PlFYPJUcNjYNdFqJS32LPLuyzyHNBCJhyv0_5umhtRFrBQaae1lv55Uq-hIJ1S6dkArVoj5IbNhwSJLJZl0k/s320/IMGP2169.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know who else got it right? That's right, my husband. He knocked it out of the park with what I will go out on a limb and say was THE best 'special occasion' meal ever made. He's pretty awesome right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMVE4jBfViP_zltl5xPk3_b3FNx-Vj9iAAsBd13L4v-GlNZgShyQ1OsFFHYxYOZhI4nVPz3JKt1IsxoelGc1dn-cpyhn3us6q7KPhxv703ZHATRjUaMiHIHJx_PZqzFbLpc31UxgfkR8/s1600/IMGP2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMVE4jBfViP_zltl5xPk3_b3FNx-Vj9iAAsBd13L4v-GlNZgShyQ1OsFFHYxYOZhI4nVPz3JKt1IsxoelGc1dn-cpyhn3us6q7KPhxv703ZHATRjUaMiHIHJx_PZqzFbLpc31UxgfkR8/s320/IMGP2182.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And this amazing girl right here is the reason for my yearly high 5...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJimgVGZ9rE1J2_Y-AEmAz58hAhRN-YTx-Ogpo0zkDdd9fL1SDZleP_zdWHenNkqt88w39y5DgPlxH6fmBxLCzKdUYdPF5d9LXPtzhR1_t_awgqxUGflBfi0fiJYxJzCNOIlrzdDkDzrg/s1600/IMGP2183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJimgVGZ9rE1J2_Y-AEmAz58hAhRN-YTx-Ogpo0zkDdd9fL1SDZleP_zdWHenNkqt88w39y5DgPlxH6fmBxLCzKdUYdPF5d9LXPtzhR1_t_awgqxUGflBfi0fiJYxJzCNOIlrzdDkDzrg/s320/IMGP2183.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh and even though I debated posting this one because well for some reason I forgot to brush my hair and put some makeup on, I wouldn't get to have my yearly high 5 if it weren't for my most awesome mom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF0cG_WeoCeXIMHkdTvfKTKRHQ5FUQ3Qp9D26T77JLom58YkWQ0o6FqQa5wd5eblmeDdaFRaz5Jjgd5tU1uRGfEKnZXQTQAMNn9qiunGNKT_WdLDluGCs6EOnzhFFqy_3Au8mKAJGzac/s1600/IMGP2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF0cG_WeoCeXIMHkdTvfKTKRHQ5FUQ3Qp9D26T77JLom58YkWQ0o6FqQa5wd5eblmeDdaFRaz5Jjgd5tU1uRGfEKnZXQTQAMNn9qiunGNKT_WdLDluGCs6EOnzhFFqy_3Au8mKAJGzac/s320/IMGP2176.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">here's the rest of the lovely feast my husband made for my mom & I to enjoy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i7QQzQFf9cHMHVUf7uDlfyeMyRiSHLStDNwJNJl7Sig2wompuIz5I0rQJ9nOPLz22kq7MFzg5-Ntrql2oqkOrIXZKWJR09n78ESh3sTeC4pSYmTPJ23NPpnhqH1LkVLCjy7XUQpHrbQ/s1600/IMGP2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i7QQzQFf9cHMHVUf7uDlfyeMyRiSHLStDNwJNJl7Sig2wompuIz5I0rQJ9nOPLz22kq7MFzg5-Ntrql2oqkOrIXZKWJR09n78ESh3sTeC4pSYmTPJ23NPpnhqH1LkVLCjy7XUQpHrbQ/s200/IMGP2167.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCr-GFwSp_pJOR6C0rI9hwaTSDfHB3dgKlIm7sqSvQn45y6F-HAfvjHhpOb-R0kcsXxYBrb7GlHJsj5VsXxeMO0w0rh2p_sjz44fQROZOIXOW8rs6ml3aHTORYLbAv4lb9J6r__uTyOg/s1600/IMGP2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCr-GFwSp_pJOR6C0rI9hwaTSDfHB3dgKlIm7sqSvQn45y6F-HAfvjHhpOb-R0kcsXxYBrb7GlHJsj5VsXxeMO0w0rh2p_sjz44fQROZOIXOW8rs6ml3aHTORYLbAv4lb9J6r__uTyOg/s200/IMGP2171.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span id="goog_1141165464"></span><span id="goog_1141165465"></span></div>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-90568416630686963942010-05-12T18:58:00.000-07:002010-05-12T19:06:27.608-07:00an education...<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I left home when I was 19, it was 1995, and although a couple of years old- <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105415/">Singles</a> was still fresh in my head. </div> <img height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zOG_aZFTBzM/SjFdYjJBl6I/AAAAAAAAAcY/0BYm2jvVR3w/s200/singles+movie.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">hell yeah ima <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X">GenX'er</a>!!</span><br />
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Aw man how I wanted to be in the thick of the Seattle grunge scene. How could I not! I had spent my high school years completely in love with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and of course the ultimate...Nirvana. To me, it didn't get any better than the thought of hanging out at a coffee house with friends all day, go home for a quick bite and then head on out to catch a live show.<br />
I grew up in LA, San Diego, and finally Fontana. Yup, born and raised in SoCal. When someone says 'born & raised' you figure they're going to say somewhere like Tyler, TX or whatever. So when you say to someone that your b&r is somewhere like LA, to most that's the same as saying you're pretty worldly. You've seen/gone/experienced some shit. Right? The answer to that is No. It is quite possible to grow up in the whole of SoCal and still be in a bubble. So a city like Seattle- well pretty much anywhere north of Los Angeles- in my world, at that time, might as well have been across the ocean on the other side of the world, like say <a href="http://www.tewkesbury.net/default.asp">Tewkesbury, UK</a>. A long ways away and nowhere I would ever see. Like...ever. So right about now you're saying 'what does this have to do w/that picture of Modesto, CA down there?' , lots!, and I'll get to that. But you can't get to Modesto without a little history lesson. That would be like the opening scene of a 'based on a true story' movie starting right dab in the middle of the book with no clever voice over explaining to you what the hell happened in the prelude. You'd be lost wouldn't you? So history first, got it. It kinda of dawned on me recently that because I left <a href="http://www.fontana.org/">'home'</a> at 19, unmarried sans children then returned at the age of 33, married, with an 8 year old, that my family- my extended family- doesn't really know all I did all those 14 years I was away. So I'm starting this little trip down memory lane, for them? Sure, but I don't think anyone but me reads this here blog. But mostly for me. Because you know what? I've done stuff, seen shit, been places and have had some fucking amazing experiences. And because where I am now, well, some might say/think that this is all I've ever been. No I'm not looking to validate myself by telling my stories I just think it's important for you, her, him, them, me to know that...even though right now my life doesn't depict it...I am pretty awesome!<br />
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<img height="212" src="http://nancyfriedman.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c4f9453ef0120a6b9459f970b-320wi" width="320" /><br />
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The first stop down memory lane is <a href="http://www.ci.modesto.ca.us/">Modesto, CA</a>! I moved to Modesto in 1995 and did what I always dreamed of...lived in a <a href="http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/DSTO-DT-Doubletree-Hotel-Modesto-California/index.do">hotel</a> for three months. Not just any old hotel, but theeee fanciest hotel in the area. At 19, yeah that was like a dream. Who doesn't want to call down for room service, have your bed turned down every night, housekeeping a phone call away and a night club and bar an elevator ride away. Bliss right. And it was. <br />
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to be continued...<br />
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Yes to be continued! This is a blog not a book. So stay tuned, I have 14 years of life to write about.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-74243491966391171282010-05-09T19:50:00.000-07:002010-05-09T19:52:38.265-07:00and the Sears Outlet Brand Ambassador is......not me (womp womp)<br />
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<img alt="Sears Outlet brand ambassadors Signature Team from MommyPR" src="http://sheposts.com/sites/default/files/Sears%20Outlet%20brand%20ambassadors%20main.jpg" /><br />
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A couple of weeks ago I filled out an application to become a Sears Outlet brand ambassador. I was pretty psyched about this because companies usually just pick bloggers they want to partner with. So this was a rare opportunity to send in an application and actually maybe have a shot. Nope, I didn't get chosen but hey, it was the first time I dipped my toe into the 'blogger product review' world. There will be other opportunities in the future, of this I am sure. <br />
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Here's a <a href="http://www.mommypr.com/index.php/2010/05/and-the-sears-outlet-signature-team-is/">link</a> to MommyPR's announcement of the 11 bloggers that were selected as Sears Outlet brand ambassadors and also a list of all the bloggers that sent in their applications. Take a minute and look thru the list, you never know, you may just find your next blog-session ;)<br />
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image source:<br />
<a href="http://sheposts.com/content/sears-outlet-picks-brand-ambassadors">sheposts.com</a>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-89960067738108802622010-03-31T09:57:00.000-07:002010-03-31T11:24:42.558-07:00oh yeah!!Hahaha, I love this shirt!<br />
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<img height="212" src="http://www.monikapolitan.com/ms2.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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And this shirt totally reminds me of Melissa Summers over at <a href="http://www.suburbanbliss.net/">Suburban Bliss</a>.<br />
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<img height="213" src="http://www.monikapolitan.com/ms3.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Both of these shirts can be found over at <a href="http://www.midnightsnackz.com/">Midnight Snackz</a>.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-7210596909400266442010-03-30T19:23:00.000-07:002010-03-30T19:35:41.664-07:00and my heart just melted...I was going thru some old pictures in photobucket & found this little gem. This is Kaitlyn telling me a story for bedtime.<br />
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<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/creek1023/KMVideo5.flv">Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-50466318798972290232010-03-30T17:41:00.000-07:002010-03-30T17:47:25.325-07:00are you ready...Not gonna lie, I totally can't wait til this is out in June. Whatever! You know you'll be there to, ha!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.twitpic.com/1agu3x">Source</a></span></div>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-8108778237647199562010-02-28T20:20:00.001-08:002010-02-28T20:20:12.351-08:00kirtsy / Popular<a href=http://www.kirtsy.com/story.php?title=a-blogging-workshop-thats-free-and-requires-no-travel>kirtsy / Popular</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-12787740859503684112010-02-22T08:50:00.000-08:002010-02-23T07:07:12.853-08:00Healthy comfort food?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrQWSTjMtwPWFJ0oCYvdGveCfOQqRA8zyQluW_d21d5-W-4ZTBGeyDK0LZCayKC777BWAKrSF2p9cMx1sqCLErgHG-HpfKBs4xpSG5OUbZ4ZZldwRq6-6opw_A6lRK6M0QqFOfEQ2Alk/s1600-h/SingleTwiceBakedPotato%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrQWSTjMtwPWFJ0oCYvdGveCfOQqRA8zyQluW_d21d5-W-4ZTBGeyDK0LZCayKC777BWAKrSF2p9cMx1sqCLErgHG-HpfKBs4xpSG5OUbZ4ZZldwRq6-6opw_A6lRK6M0QqFOfEQ2Alk/s200/SingleTwiceBakedPotato%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441454975525674914" /></a> Just when we thought sunny days were back for good, we woke up yesterday morning to clouds & drizzle. You know days like that just scream COMFORT FOOD. So I was happy when I found an update on google reader for Irish twice baked potatoes by <a href="http://www.ivymanning.com/">Ivy Manning</a> over at www.cookingupastory.com via <a href="http://goodstuffnw.blogspot.com/">Good Stuff NW</a>...comfort food that's delicious <em>and</em> good for you? Yes please! <br />If you make 'em, comment below and let me know how/if you or your family liked them.<br /><br />Recipe, 'How To...' video, and source links below. <br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://blip.tv/play/hK5wgcfEaQI%2Em4v" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="300" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed><br /><br />Fresh Ingredients:<br /><br />· 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed (8 to 10 ounces each) <br /><br />· 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided <br /><br />· 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced onions (about 1 large) <br /><br />· 1 cup Irish-style stout <br /><br />· 1 bunch lacinato kale or Russian kale(about 3 ounces) <br /><br />· 1 cup buttermilk <br /><br />· 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature <br /><br />· 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder <br /><br />· Salt and freshly ground black pepper <br /><br />· 1 cup grated cheddar cheese<br /><br /> <br /><br />Instructions:<br /><br />Preheat the oven to 400 F. Rub the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of the oil and place directly on the oven rack. Bake until they squish easily when gently squeezed, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently until they begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Add a splash of the stout and scrape up any browned bits. Continue to cook, occasionally deglazing the pan with the stout until the onions are deep brown and nearly all of the stout is used, about 30 minutes total. Tear the tough ribs and stems away from the kale and discard or use for stock. Roughly chop the leaves and add half the kale to the onions, tossing with tongs to wilt the leaves. Add the remaining kale, toss, cover, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. With a serrated knife slice off the top quarter of each potato. Use a soup spoon to scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell on the bottom and sides. Mash the flesh with the buttermilk, butter, and mustard powder. Gently fold in the onion-kale mixture and season with the salt and pepper. Mound the mixture into the potato shells, sprinkle the tops with the cheese, and place on a baking sheet. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes, and serve warm as a side dish or a vegetarian main course.<br /><br /><br />Source info:<br /><br /><a href="http://cookingupastory.com/twice-baked-irish-potatoes-with-stout-onions-and-kale">Cooking Up A Story </a><br /><a href="http://ivymanning.com">Ivy Manning </a><br /><a href="http://goodstuffnw.blogspot.com">Good Stuff NW</a>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-25162369503027724142010-02-19T09:36:00.000-08:002010-02-19T11:18:46.137-08:00Jamie Oliver 2010 TED Prize Winner<div>Jamie Oliver's wish</div><br /><div align="center"><em>"I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity."</em></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>If you have school age kids & have at times been concerned about the food your kids are being given <em>(nachos should not be a lunch item choice!),</em> then you need to watch this. Thank you Activistas for posting this! You can see the Activistas entire post <a href="http://www.activistas.us/activistas/2010/02/chocolate-milk-in-schools-revisited.html">here</a> and the TED post <a href="http://www.tedprize.org/jamie-oliver/">here</a>. As for me, this has inpsired me to try something I've never done before. How green does your garden grow? I'm about to find out.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/JamieOliver_2010-medium.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JamieOliver-2010.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=765&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=jamie_oliver;year=2010;theme=ted_prize_winners;theme=a_taste_of_ted2010;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED2010;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><br /> <embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/JamieOliver_2010-medium.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JamieOliver-2010.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=765&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=jamie_oliver;year=2010;theme=ted_prize_winners;theme=a_taste_of_ted2010;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED2010;"></embed></object></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-40360652297973868952010-02-17T18:21:00.000-08:002010-02-17T18:57:22.065-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd91hIJaMSCupSTux1IGTJF69h7S9L8CrB7kMlFjDHoQYgJ2UclsxmQqI6I7JFVyhTp52IvDck6S3eicBXPxy0SDrVNYNy8uBZcVlsuz3lTcJvIie2jGx2Fbt_rSfceHeupA5NOhJzOo/s1600-h/WEfarmtable.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439407609217979058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd91hIJaMSCupSTux1IGTJF69h7S9L8CrB7kMlFjDHoQYgJ2UclsxmQqI6I7JFVyhTp52IvDck6S3eicBXPxy0SDrVNYNy8uBZcVlsuz3lTcJvIie2jGx2Fbt_rSfceHeupA5NOhJzOo/s200/WEfarmtable.jpg" /></a>I'm a big fan of blogs. If I had to tell someone exactly how many blogs currently reside on my Reader, I don't know if I'd be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">embaressed</span> or surprised. That being said, I think I added three more to the list about 15 minutes ago. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whatev</span>...have you heard of <a href="http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/">Knock off Wood</a>? No? Well then please, click on the link & be prepared to be blown away. When this blog updates it's all I can do not to stop what I'm doing and devour the entire post. This blog has so inspired me that I'm 85% convinced that I'm going to tackle building this West Elm Modern inspired <a href="http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/2009/11/plan-modern-farmhouse-table-knock-off.html">Farm Table </a>. I've been thinking about it for awhile now and after reading about the <a href="http://pemberwick.blogspot.com/2010/02/snow-day.html">success</a> of the first timers over at pemberwick.blogspot.com, I went from <em>'<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">meh</span>'</em> to <em>'I can <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">SOOoooo</span> do that too'</em>. Paul & I have always wanted a big table like this but were convinced that it would be awhile before we could actually afford the one that would fit us perfectly. So...can you build a $600 Farm Table for $20-$30 <em>(about how much it has cost some readers)</em>? Stay tuned folks.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-75710376242090187222009-10-29T08:21:00.000-07:002009-10-29T08:28:52.495-07:00There are two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKwEr3j9beZP2US45BclFh_a5s5om-Qugr3Ec00pNo2o2W1omhPjGth3an9CHn4NBORkhVPADLrHG7MhnG6ogpC6szjWxoLqZfd-PUBwgH2usD6N0iMkyT49TyJlm7ezmggFYO5PXnJ8/s1600-h/global+h1n1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKwEr3j9beZP2US45BclFh_a5s5om-Qugr3Ec00pNo2o2W1omhPjGth3an9CHn4NBORkhVPADLrHG7MhnG6ogpC6szjWxoLqZfd-PUBwgH2usD6N0iMkyT49TyJlm7ezmggFYO5PXnJ8/s200/global+h1n1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398043657223028818" /></a><br />‘There are two flu shots this year?’ That’s what the mom standing behind me in line at the flu clinic yesterday asked me- ‘yes’ I said, ‘two’. ‘What’s the second one?’ Huh? I’m sorry what was that? I don’t think I heard you right…right? Dooo…you watch the news? Read the newspaper? Go on the internets? Go to work????? How does one not know about the two shots this year? How, when every which way you turn this year we’re getting blasted with words like ‘worldwide pandemic’, images of people wearing surgical masks and parents shipping their kids off to school with multiple bottles (1 for the backpack, 1 for the desk, 1 for recess- ok so 3 at least!) of hand sanitizer with the warning that if they fail to use it and carry it with them at ALL times, a fate worse than a Saturday afternoon with no iCarly reruns (for my daughter anyway) awaits them. I turned around and said in my most non ‘have you been living under a rock?’ voice I could find (I had one of those?) and said ‘yes there are two- one for the seasonal flu & one for the Swine flu’ and pointed to the sign posted slightly above our heads. I turned back around pleased with myself because, hell yeah that counted as my good deed for the day. I had just helped the CDC out by informing a previously uninformed concerned parent that we are on the brink of global disaster. Yey me! <br /><br />Yes, there are two and yesterday afternoon Kaitlyn got both! She still has to go back at then end of next month to get a booster, but half way vaccinated is better than not at all. She hasn’t ever needed one before because thankfully we were blessed with a very healthy girl and she has never fallen into the flu shot required guidelines- even when she was a baby. So now the Elston house has been mostly vaccinated and made ready for the impending pandemic that they say is just around the corner, next week I think(?). I say mostly because Paul & I haven’t gotten the H1N1 yet. Why? Haven’t you heard? Yup, there’s a shortage in just about every county and just the other day the manufacturer was on the national news saying ‘H1N1 won’t be available until next year…’. Next yeeeaarrr. But if I get the H1N1 shot next year, will it also work for the H2N2 virus that I’m sure is scheduled to hit next year as well?? No? Figures. I’m always behind the trends. <br /><br />The two- H1N1 shot & Seasonal Flu shot, have you gotten yours yet?Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282413393831740276.post-47524539548308560622009-10-27T13:51:00.000-07:002010-02-21T22:40:12.043-08:00Just on the other side<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZVXUd2SFxcnGyX_fYwtDoUnhYlL4_AdepGFMsIhrwNQQ2GWDgZkRZHFVgUgyd8-1hBjBuD9w2ZLMU4NdOmhuPk0rMcJ-TUIxdsGETU3CW0bnH3zJeOxpA-8aYIsTLFj-ri90CGr77ec/s1600-h/KM.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397390191749454226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZVXUd2SFxcnGyX_fYwtDoUnhYlL4_AdepGFMsIhrwNQQ2GWDgZkRZHFVgUgyd8-1hBjBuD9w2ZLMU4NdOmhuPk0rMcJ-TUIxdsGETU3CW0bnH3zJeOxpA-8aYIsTLFj-ri90CGr77ec/s200/KM.jpg" /></a> I'm not what you'd call a hot weather girl. By 'hot' I mean temperature and not this <a href="http://www.elitaloresca.blogspot.com/">type</a> of weather girl. I mean hoooOOOTTT. As in <em>'I just opened the front door but it feels like I opened my oven which has been cranked to 475 for the last 4 hours straight'</em> kind of HOT! So I was, lets just say, apprehensive to spend a day in the middle of the desert at the <a href="http://www.calicotown.com/">The Calico Ghost Town </a>for their annual Calico Days event. When I asked Paul where this place was, he just said <em>'just on the other side of Barstow'</em>. Hmmm, I see. I took this to mean 25-30 minute road trip max. Ok, I could deal with that, it's Saturday, I can handle that. I'll admit I wasn't really into this little excursion, I mean after all, it was hot. Remember what I said about not being a hot weather girl? Yeah. So the thought of walking around some old mining town looking at 'old stuff' was not how I wanted to spend my precious Saturday afternoon. But I caved in and we went. The drive was long, I went total Bart Simpson and just kept asking 'are we there yet', and Paul just kept saying 'just on the other side of Barstow' and 'Barstow's just 20 minutes from our place', ummm, clearly his definition of 'just on the other side' is waaaay different than mine. His 'just on the other side' ended up being 45 minutes! To most people, thats not a long way, but to me, a trip that takes longer than 20 minutes is a trip that can be put off for another day thank you very much- preferrably on a nice cool autumn day. So we finally get there and ummm hello, this town is built into the side of a mountain, and what do you mean I have to climb up that mountain? Oh there's a shuttle, but that only comes around every 15 minutes. Right. 15 minutes that you will be spend standing in the hot beating sun...no shade...no misting device...no chilled water bottle cart. So I climbed. When we got to the top all I initially saw was what looked to me like the same stuff I had seen at Knott's Berry Farm only 5 months earlier. Soooo not Knott's. This little mountain top enclave was 100% authentic, charming and such an experience. Yes I hemmed and hawed the whole way there but once there, we had a great time. We partook in the arts & crafts, drank Sarsparilla, and sat in shady spots to listen to the many bands that took to each little stage. Good times indeed. My poor husband often has to push me out the door to participate in these types of activities. I'm not sure why that is. I will self analyze later and get back to you. I have many memories of that day now and they have filled the pages of my mental scrapbook. I will probably still hemm & haw when Paul schedules the next outing, and I will hesitantly go and I will have a blast, because <em>'just on the other side'</em> of those moments, are pictures like the one above. For that smile, I will brave a hot desert anyday.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18105230533208354222noreply@blogger.com0