tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79151138202754817852024-03-05T10:12:52.265-07:00Confessions of a Self-Proclaimed Control FreakMandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-58206643390865723802011-02-23T11:17:00.001-07:002011-02-23T11:17:32.509-07:00Home skillet<p align="justify">Did I ever mention we own a house? It’s a decent little thing. Modest. 1060 square feet. One hallway for my kids to run up and down over and over…and over…<em>and over</em>. With our latest addition of Taysum last May and Alex and Elise’s ever-growing supply of energy, we came to the realization that we need more space…before I <strike>smash something</strike> go <em>crazy! </em>(There’s something about the incessant running that makes me want to <em>smash</em> things! I don’t, of course…but I <em>want</em> to.)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7qx51ctJilI-Hz64eo0rnrJXDOmLxTGmt_j5IaIqJythI7mjKklWxcX6UIke3WzHz4E2bY1jQrexy5exEuK0C7H8ghtiHHGWPWAMwXuflG2oRO4R2pYqLark-90gF2nXCNYoZehClkZp/s1600-h/Photo_090209_002%20sketch2%5B13%5D.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Home Sketch" border="0" alt="Our first home" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPP1t0P9oiVcTd8iwy7zCEgJpZTAiAhlZSbrJOSAnukQ9zKA2bj2DSr-3y4ppJHeBEXTtoLo5RU1FJcOqURwL-RPJ7mgnSOxRSDBr5hO-IX0nk9VwThVUfH3NfvUp2f6gC0bPL8Ek-tbI/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="337" /></a></p> <p align="justify">So, Hubs and I decided to get ready to sell. Yup, in this economy. It’s going to be awesome. *forehead smack!* The other two sellers on our street are <em>really</em> going to appreciate it.</p> <p align="justify">Now I’m in the process of getting the house ready to stage. But I keep getting distracted by <strike>my addiction to DIY blogs</strike> ideas for décor adjustment. I find I’m getting ahead of myself in this whole process. I’m constantly having to remind myself to pack away and store/remove all the unnecessary stuff first and <em>THEN</em> I can think about damask curtains and DIY duvet covers. *sigh*</p> <p align="justify">Anyone care to share some staging or selling tips? All advice welcome…<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Mandy" border="0" alt="Signature" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnLcNdKgO5Aa5sBYYK8yFElPS7nktYxPMs9WeKPqMQ0ToC_KYRFYVi0CRAfZojqZvdJf4EzbxYEVn9w7bBV4XK423ko5N0Ybx0TlfcOJ0LPLCyQOWqIbs_dGQchrUj9k2Bmn4h_kq0QcE/?imgmax=800" width="175" height="103" /></p> Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-46281298387366227542010-03-16T15:45:00.002-06:002010-03-16T15:49:31.414-06:00Crafty Blog Spotlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://freshlypicked.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Nz25LTbBILpJaO5j9tauRz4XdAzFQArHwuzQqSc0FyWKvKJqCkrF1CVpT1PcKttFaqX2Y-tzEuNcx_1pSUv_S9IVaLzPXuUH77Mk09_7dTMGVCtcnDw99i8De13bMIPrBX_imYPDnD3S/s320/fp+150.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I discovered a cute blog today when I was looking up "how-to's" for making pillowcase dresses for my daughter. The site is <a href="http://freshlypicked.blogspot.com/2008/03/pillow-case-dress-tutorial.html">Freshly Picked</a> and I love <b>LOVE</b> the tutorial she gives for pillowcase dresses. She includes pictures for each step (and even in-betweens!). My very favorite thing about this post is that she gives the length of fabric needed for each age group, which I was unable to find anywhere else.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here is the finished product from her tutorial:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL1lt_Qi-G2Ib4p8lKuhD_2WWHOoxtzyV6Lo4r9jW3D8KlOriL7Wtfj9WlcJyQkE_uRUreJ5ikDm6FbrA9ByrZLRMS2aViTClze0RrBZR-ZaSiLEdlE7dzwCUosYM83mPgh7Vlz3FPe1y/s1600-h/final+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL1lt_Qi-G2Ib4p8lKuhD_2WWHOoxtzyV6Lo4r9jW3D8KlOriL7Wtfj9WlcJyQkE_uRUreJ5ikDm6FbrA9ByrZLRMS2aViTClze0RrBZR-ZaSiLEdlE7dzwCUosYM83mPgh7Vlz3FPe1y/s320/final+dress.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Property of Susan Petersen/Freshly Picked</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Can't <i>wait</i> to try this out myself! Kudos on the awesome instructions, Susan, and THANK YOU for sharing! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-88448630421732469122010-03-12T11:50:00.000-07:002010-03-12T11:50:28.212-07:00Nesting...Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, I <i>promise</i> it didn't take me a full month to get that <a href="http://selfproclaimedcontrolfreak.blogspot.com/2010/02/nestingpart-i.html">abysmal mess</a> in my kitchen cleared up...it just took me a month to get the pictures taken. *sheepish grin* So, without further ado, I hereby share my redeeming photos:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVEyfqzKHGSfvDtYS7Y4Z49WX9Y_vJUHlu80bUMM9cJwAB5SazKKy3OZ8gDx9Y7-YBnKq0D5G48RJhgw94LnQk9flZF7sAsnQWDaPetNg4SG34ZsjyTWS-JcgwNSxLTuWLem2MyXp2FX2/s1600-h/DSCN3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVEyfqzKHGSfvDtYS7Y4Z49WX9Y_vJUHlu80bUMM9cJwAB5SazKKy3OZ8gDx9Y7-YBnKq0D5G48RJhgw94LnQk9flZF7sAsnQWDaPetNg4SG34ZsjyTWS-JcgwNSxLTuWLem2MyXp2FX2/s320/DSCN3406.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZNqZUaN-kvSzIWyRS0EqygKLTTo0VW_XIb6Q8LINVUi0GZpQEn8q-X5XJO_KelY2M9Gft9QJfynkDPS66BY9z7ovcOuyiRZmPqSEoXRYyUTwuO0qgYiczoPrXiTs8yy6IDkfV5ErpN08/s1600-h/DSCN3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZNqZUaN-kvSzIWyRS0EqygKLTTo0VW_XIb6Q8LINVUi0GZpQEn8q-X5XJO_KelY2M9Gft9QJfynkDPS66BY9z7ovcOuyiRZmPqSEoXRYyUTwuO0qgYiczoPrXiTs8yy6IDkfV5ErpN08/s320/DSCN3408.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm pretty happy with how it all came together. We have been meaning to get that sun figure put up since we moved in three years ago. And I'm excited to finally have found a safe place for my skinny little shelf!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The curtains are the best part, I think. They're flat sheets that I bought at WalMart for $2.50 each! I got the idea from those lovely ladies at Drab to Fab. You just cut a slit on the back side of the thick hem (see their post for full instructions <a href="http://gorgfabgoodies.blogspot.com/2009/11/flat-sheets-into-curtains.html">here</a>). I want to dress them up with some brown & blue ribbon so my living room color scheme will flow into the kitchen, but I couldn't find <i>exactly</i> what I was looking for, so that will have to wait. For now, I think they look great on their own. And I like that they're thin enough to still let in plenty of light without blinding my kids at lunch time. :)</div><a class="thumbexp_ignore" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZNqZUaN-kvSzIWyRS0EqygKLTTo0VW_XIb6Q8LINVUi0GZpQEn8q-X5XJO_KelY2M9Gft9QJfynkDPS66BY9z7ovcOuyiRZmPqSEoXRYyUTwuO0qgYiczoPrXiTs8yy6IDkfV5ErpN08/s1600-h/DSCN3408.JPG"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-30425211844360587242010-02-16T00:18:00.006-07:002010-02-16T01:10:16.379-07:00Nesting...Part I<div><div align="justify">Confession: house cleaning is the bane of my existence. No, really! Especially with two little ones running about. As soon as I get something cleaned, it's a mess again in less than 5 minutes. (Just lucky, I guess!) Anyone who knows me--and not even very well--<em>knows</em> I don't profess to have any kind of house keeping prowess.</div><br />
<div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Over the last 3 weeks, however, my nesting instinct (and hubby Jon's) has kicked in full force. Normally, my nesting instinct appears as irritation at the general clutter and disorganized-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ness</span> of my abode and I shove piles of books and folded laundry aside to make room for a bassinet.</div><br />
<div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">As I mentioned before, <em>this</em> time around we've been doing a lot of <a href="http://selfproclaimedcontrolfreak.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-ish.html">re-arranging</a>. Today, we <em>finally</em> got the computer desk moved out of the kitchen and into the living room. I <em>had</em> hoped to be able to take it outside and paint all black to hide just how entirely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hideoderous</span> it is, but no such luck...it snowed off and on all day today. Guess we'll just live with the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ug</span>" factor for now. Hopefully, having it located in the Center of Guest Reception will force me to keep it tidy. *knocking on fake computer desk wood*</div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438741564737246354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgHrgFSc8stZ1OnzyGYznF8wkk0VCZktMnAEVrXG6MfIBmlHzmx55-xWAchXmG1e8hhmsfpD13Lomc2-arUT5XRhunVh-w2Kfu9RYFAnyMX9lIK7r2k7Wl7LJNGgDRgd1oFMMbUGGqW8g/s320/DSCN3372.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /><br />
<div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Unfortunately, we remembered today that rearranging a space that's already a mess makes an even BIGGER mess. And so I present my shame to the world...</div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438741574576497250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJSnbroDBvgDq3M0_hKdIq4YDGmc_zwupdYBxiTUiinSq-AQA9zZvApObvahn1wpogscXLZZK8UAjJ7CDVtAlfsTiUXo6uZyCIbiGQ7DFqp-NNpW4Y4CFigWrofXkQAcSXk9cMBRa_q5-/s320/DSCN3373.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /><br />
<div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I swear it was only <em>half</em> this bad when we began today!<br />
<br />
But we DID get the leaf in the table (and shattered a glass in the process). And look at the lovely print we FINALLY got on the wall! We've had that thing leaning up against the wall in the corner for over a year just waiting to be displayed.<br />
<br />
The smaller, calmer part of myself is trying to keep the crazed "have to have this mess cleaned up even though it's almost 1 in the morning" part of myself from hyperventilating. I just have to keep telling her, "Rearranging makes things worse before they get better." Right? <em><strong>RIGHT?!</strong></em></div></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-34940506479082808382010-02-06T20:56:00.008-07:002010-02-16T01:11:12.541-07:00New-ish<div align="justify">My favorite word today is "new-ish." We've been doing a lot of rearranging in the house lately...our nesting instinct is revealing itself through this intense desire to move our furniture around. :) A couple of weeks ago, we rearranged our bedroom--took us 3 days and we're still only <em>mostly</em> done. Our project this week was our living room. The thing I love about changing the set up of these rooms is money...or our <em>lack</em> thereof. As my friend Jennifer said on Facebook the other day, "...it makes a room feel all clean and new-ish!" Great word.<br />
<br />
We hadn't moved any of our furniture in the living room (save to make space for the tree at Christmastime) for three years. So you can imagine the amount of dusting and un-cluttering we had to do! But in the process, I rediscovered several decor items right when I was wishing I could go buy something just for some kind of <em>change!</em> My front bathroom feels completely different with the help of three small "new-ish" seaside prints on the wall. And I love the fact that I didn't have to buy new furniture (or <em>finally</em> get curtains to go over the blinds) to get that "new-ish" feeling in my living room. My too-thin purse-strings are heaving a sigh of relief. :)<br />
<br />
</div><div align="justify">Once the room is finally complete, I'll try to put up some pics...not to demonstrate it's new-ishness, but because that was a frickin' lot of work and, dang it, I'm going to show it off, man!</div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435367410558540946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnptzX7pCxf7_Jtd_aBb5ZGc8GOsGm_LzZ9hAVwcFWSe4eOoWislSdIO1N1WGRA2vlc9SRhrRmr0Ty9ndNHZ9v3EqwC1xH1fWfCV8fubsHtbZoaeF3Uq6xPYAlshVWax2vb170ze0LmGP/s320/newish.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 256px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> <br />
<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5QVf1hV1iFulFIKHpyhoYqRAgR10J06sHjsFFpcHgXLRLTMkEgOmvlTE9TAj_yW-xWlQNK7PKssVac282AFKxiba-sLagLJFf2hf56_YXwrUQYX8bpUJqQeQccsMPXuLZL6dbq0tBDgJ/s1600-h/newish.jpg"></a><em><span style="font-size: 78%;">Just three of the new-old items I rediscovered. Don't ask me what the silver thing is...I have no idea. I just know it's vintage and it's silver...and a pain in the NECK to clean!</span></em></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-67753681255816685732010-02-04T20:22:00.010-07:002010-02-04T23:19:59.891-07:00Strange spa<div align="justify">I've been thinking a lot about child birth lately. Probably because I'm <em>expecting</em> for the third time and three months away from delivering. But my oldest son's birthday a few weeks ago might also have something to do with it. His delivery was pretty horrific. I'll spare you (if you're there at all, friend reader) the gory details. Suffice it to say that I went in Sunday evening to be induced and then 21 hours, a full course of magnesium sulfate, and a C-section later, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BAM</span>! he was here!</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Reliving the experience, it plays out something like a horror movie...that's a little blurry around the edges (that was probably from the magnesium sulfate--worst stuff in the world). Panic and hyperventilating coupled with shock makes for a somewhat unpleasant <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">first time</span> experience. My gorgeous boy made it all worth it, though...just so I'm being clear.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So what's the relevance of this somewhat <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">graphic</span> reverie? Well, thinking about the birth of my first naturally led me to think about the birth of my second. And as I was reflecting on the much calmer introduction of my daughter into the world, the thought <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">occurred</span> to me that it was almost like going to a spa.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I know what you must be thinking: "...........???" Allow me to elaborate. When I was pregnant with my second baby, my doctor asked me if I wanted to try a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">VBAC</span>. Naturally, in that moment, it all came screaming back to me. "No," I said, "I'd rather do another C-section, if that's okay." So the big day came, we got all dolled up, and off we went. We were cheerily led into the operating room where some pleasant music was playing in the background. I sat on the table and the doctor gave me a spinal block, which was awesome, by the way...And then there she was! No whisking her away to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">NICU</span>, no stress...no hyperventilating.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">So you see, it's much like going in for a treatment at a spa. "What are we doing for you today?" "Oh, I'd just like to have this baby removed so I can take him home." "Splendid! Will that be debit or credit?" I <em>will</em> admit, the operating room is a little colder than the rooms would be at a spa. I'll have to take it up with the manager.</div><div align="justify"></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-33965991258596033972010-02-04T17:26:00.009-07:002010-02-04T23:06:41.618-07:00Hind sight...<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">I was looking back today, approximately 10 years back...ish, and reading the Class of 99 insert for The Buzz at Bonneville High School. It included a senior class will & testament (things we left to the underclassmen), seniorly advice, our addresses (for that correspondence we were <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">sure</span> we would keep up!), and of course a little blurb about what we hoped to accomplish.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />Mine read:<br />"Amanda Love<br />6613 Orlinda Lane<br />Plans: Utah State University,<br />marriage 101...lots of BABIES!"<br /><br />Awesome. Actually, upon reading this, I think my <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">actual</span> response was, "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Oh, Eighteen-year-old Me! No "loftier" dreams like recording an album or writing a book? Or designing a high-end spring line?! Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to diminish the roll of motherhood. Not at all.<br /><br />But the things you know now, little girl! *snort!* The phrases you never thought you'd say. Stuff like, "Please don't color on your bed," and "We don't touch Mommy's boobies." And WHO COULD GUESS, at a time when you were into the latest fashion trend and top single on the radio, that one day, you would squeal over the latest...Diaper Genie...<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">II</span>!! (The one you DON'T have to twist so you really can do it one-handed!)<br /><br />All joking aside, you had your sights set right, Eighteen-year-old Me. Though this job (and it <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">is</span> a job, as you came to find almost immediately) is difficult and challenging--and you constantly find yourself in awe of the fact that your mother, who had <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">eight</span> children, never drowned ONE of you, NOT ONE!--it is by <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">far</span> the most meaningful and rewarding thing you've ever done.<br /><br />Now, go clean that poop off the floor. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7xCuddUw9CMnSWbhft9ZGkJK7EE7a3PB98EB3bCRtIK5EiBdtihGHv2v096PvL411AfKBbwEIzHNQvhGVEZMJwRdjj6iO8MDBNQ4L4HqxPsvLpFNYd144qVpdGeMiWct0cBEn332oEeT/s1600-h/scan0005a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434555709496093394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 138px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7xCuddUw9CMnSWbhft9ZGkJK7EE7a3PB98EB3bCRtIK5EiBdtihGHv2v096PvL411AfKBbwEIzHNQvhGVEZMJwRdjj6iO8MDBNQ4L4HqxPsvLpFNYd144qVpdGeMiWct0cBEn332oEeT/s200/scan0005a.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg766JBmdF74MgaOW17NMH7HtnUuxDQslyXjIkeGyvSpuLbi-9qgpI-aiRP7XpGNHJkeV1jvc7O-t1WvsvB9_tvFdhp62y1Hd3OVufpG2K6y4t1KurSK1pxRPG9ckeMmSeEc7LGXwQA9tMT/s1600-h/DSC_0319a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434556070586416626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg766JBmdF74MgaOW17NMH7HtnUuxDQslyXjIkeGyvSpuLbi-9qgpI-aiRP7XpGNHJkeV1jvc7O-t1WvsvB9_tvFdhp62y1Hd3OVufpG2K6y4t1KurSK1pxRPG9ckeMmSeEc7LGXwQA9tMT/s200/DSC_0319a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"></span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span style="font-size:78%;">(then and now)</span></span> </div></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-56689365011725842632010-01-28T12:12:00.004-07:002010-01-28T12:23:52.891-07:00Awesome Blog Spotlight<div style="text-align: justify;">Some friends of mine from good old Bonneville HS (sisters) got together to make a "design on a dime" blog. I LOVE their ideas and can't wait to try some of them. Anyway, I had to post a link here for all the world to see...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gorgfabgoodies.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5xfCdON7_ETJHTvBnvo8RBpKvuC8ROxAipuQmq1JAI00F0c0ZhFDSMkzxDzzoDeQLxM-hZBh4QJCcDVtwT0Xf3RBUN_1MxrpsyLX_7F2RTRTzkGZALdPDDcL4X7FQrzPtfnZgkJKBBxy/s200/DrabtoFabbutton1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431872959850859634" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And to Bonnie, Ali and Hanna I say, "Thank you for sharing! You're awesome!"<br /></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-39546357208296447152009-03-20T12:18:00.010-06:002011-02-23T09:55:10.317-07:00Blowing a Fuze<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaU_btENygrHfGBTH8ztp729QAflDLrjCQzqKIuWe-FILd707MdqOLHOoFWd0fHfj5wYb1M0ohs0GO_tFrS7J74_3LmeK4Wj38TzpEFJALORmx2p64pCeOmH49rfpEYmv_1VGEvkZBmeI/s1600-h/Sansa_Fuze_image_01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315336131111810786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaU_btENygrHfGBTH8ztp729QAflDLrjCQzqKIuWe-FILd707MdqOLHOoFWd0fHfj5wYb1M0ohs0GO_tFrS7J74_3LmeK4Wj38TzpEFJALORmx2p64pCeOmH49rfpEYmv_1VGEvkZBmeI/s400/Sansa_Fuze_image_01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 252px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 239px;" /></a>Yesterday, I bought a <a href="http://www.sandisk.com/consumer-products/music-player">Sansa Fuze</a>. I'm pretty excited about it. I did a lot of research before I finally decided to get it. Jon bought me a Sansa C250 a couple of years ago and I've really enjoyed having it. However, I like to listen to books and the C250 just didn't have enough storage space (and isn't compatible with the MicroSDHC, which is ALL that is available anymore for 4, 8, and 16GB cards). The Fuze comes with 4GB of memory already and plays for up to 24 hours (the C250 only lasted 2).</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It's priced at $99.99 through the manufacturer, but that's not what I paid (bless you Amazon!). :) And it's already been shipped! I figured I would have to wait 2 weeks for it at least and now it looks like I'll have it for our trip to Oregon.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I don't normally devote whole posts to stuff I've purchased, but I'm just SO EXCITED!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And speaking of EXCITED, I'm getting my <a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10858374">Twilight 2-disc </a><a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10858374">Special Edition</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">tomorrow!</span> When I first ordered it from Walmart, it was <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms0O9MzPFzIBRpCwU_06_n_jSkV2vrM_UdWoqme_Ffn0_vD_jfIuyg1RanGPBg9l90Px1nheObWwBn1LWJoaqLKs8wK2LHnjO6NMC0HOV2P17oOvhlWfLuReWn42bzOO7Z1XYTYuhMP4Z/s1600-h/0002519202227_215X215.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315342744925031474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms0O9MzPFzIBRpCwU_06_n_jSkV2vrM_UdWoqme_Ffn0_vD_jfIuyg1RanGPBg9l90Px1nheObWwBn1LWJoaqLKs8wK2LHnjO6NMC0HOV2P17oOvhlWfLuReWn42bzOO7Z1XYTYuhMP4Z/s320/0002519202227_215X215.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 181px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 181px;" /></a>priced at $22.86, but they dropped the price to $17.97 and since I had pre-ordered, they gave me the discount too!<br />
<br />
I can't wait to get this tomorrow. I loved it when I saw it in the theatre. And now I'll be able to watch it any time I want! (much to Jon's dismay) <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pictures from <a href="http://www.sandisk.com/consumer-products/music-player">here</a> and <a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10858374&findingMethod=rr">here</a> </span></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-89338765634959712952009-03-20T12:03:00.003-06:002010-02-04T19:41:32.227-07:00Lazy morning<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">I won't bother writing about all the things I <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">should</span> be doing right now (okay just one--<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">dishes!</span>).<br /><br />It's been a pretty rough morning, though. My kids helped me make strawberry smoothies. They were really good. But, man! I never thought I'd have to tell them so many times to quit messing around and <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">drink</span>!<br /><br />And rather than eat something decent myself, I had a handful of Cadbury Mini Eggs. Ahhh, nutrition!<br /><br />The weather seems pretty nice out right now. So, I'll indulge myself with doing one more post and then I'll take the kids outside and let them run a muck. </div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-15592823799154721432009-03-17T14:28:00.002-06:002009-03-17T14:57:26.426-06:00Twitter-pated<div style="text-align: justify;">So, I joined <a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter</a> today. My sister Rachael was very enthusiastic in her recommendation that I try it out. I've really liked it so far. Come check me out! <a href="http://twitter.com/themandyway">http://twitter.com/themandyway</a> My own Twitter recommendation is Sia LaBeouf's <a href="http://twitter.com/shiantology">Shiantology</a>. I think it's the funniest thing I've ever seen!<br /></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-50586137890270098782009-03-17T14:06:00.002-06:002009-03-17T14:11:48.306-06:00Best of the best<div style="text-align: justify;">This is my son's latest thing: "Mom, you're my very best friend." He is the sweetest kid ever! (I'll admit, though, that when he says it after I've been disciplining him, I feel like a heel.) The other day he hugged me and said, "You're my best friend, Mom. You're the best of the best." Aw!<br /></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-70535472599336129222008-09-22T11:45:00.009-06:002008-09-23T09:48:55.594-06:00Ransom Note<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR91pqf_-c13KQGwEBU1IW1ACY1M6LCiyWuDPzFa8PEIgLXj1dbmYwCKkkOKuOP4tFOnLIFWLFvHa4kWKkD-Hx7lARIweIVSilEhd_y3F1igkdy3f68YSLFMUpC-iy9d5vBQbiqNBGrAn/s1600-h/2005-03-06+006+sepia+smaller.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR91pqf_-c13KQGwEBU1IW1ACY1M6LCiyWuDPzFa8PEIgLXj1dbmYwCKkkOKuOP4tFOnLIFWLFvHa4kWKkD-Hx7lARIweIVSilEhd_y3F1igkdy3f68YSLFMUpC-iy9d5vBQbiqNBGrAn/s400/2005-03-06+006+sepia+smaller.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248906337504163474" border="0" /></a>I went to my youngest sister's (I suppose I'm not allowed to say "little sister" anymore since she's in her twenties...and married) wedding reception over the weekend in Idaho Falls. *Congrats to Adrie, by the way!* The next day, my sister Jennie and I drove to the Idaho Falls temple to take the car seat from my parents' car (they forgot to leave it for us). So they wouldn't panic and think that someone had taken it, we decided to leave them a note. We were in a pretty silly mood, so the note turned into a ransom:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We took your car seat.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">If you ever want to see it again, bring home chocolate ice cream and cupcakes and M&Ms (peanut and plain) and breakfast cereals and orangutans and fruit bats and sloths...</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Us</span><br /></div><br />Later, Jennie and I were sitting downstairs together when my Mom came into the room with gigantic bags of M&Ms (peanut <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> plain)...the ice cream and cupcakes were upstairs.<br /><br />And that is just <span style="font-style: italic;">ONE</span> of the reasons why my mom is the coolest.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">* Incidentally, in case you're wondering why the heck we started asking for fruit bats and sloths, run to your local video store and rent <span style="font-style: italic;">Monty Python and the Holy Grail</span>...all will reveal itself in due course. ;)</span><br /></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-77798106219013761692008-09-04T15:29:00.006-06:002011-02-23T09:57:33.563-07:00Reading Rainbow<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD0I2aiHpa2GuH3sVtR9nVEjWYM1tVVLwaxHAMR9-O31n_AUoCSlyAPWw3hNVXWE7uS_mTFgl0v7dxOND_1Mf6U4GwtplCVW6iMNrQM8DgZVX_3htMdJM6sYxYoYmXf5VyhiIzJrBVQzn/s1600-h/oldnavybag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242299419740877826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD0I2aiHpa2GuH3sVtR9nVEjWYM1tVVLwaxHAMR9-O31n_AUoCSlyAPWw3hNVXWE7uS_mTFgl0v7dxOND_1Mf6U4GwtplCVW6iMNrQM8DgZVX_3htMdJM6sYxYoYmXf5VyhiIzJrBVQzn/s320/oldnavybag.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a>I've started taking my kids to the local library every week. Last week was our first visit. It was quite the adventure. I learned it's extremely difficult to keep two small children from pulling all the books from the shelves. I also learned that one book per child DEFINITELY is not enough to satiate their appetite...at least this is the case with Alex and Elise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Jon came with us for our visit this week. He served in a sort of "Defender of the Fish Tank/Keeper of the Peace (and Quiet)" capacity. I made an effort to get more books for the kids. But their books and <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> books meant we had an enormous stack to carry out with us when we were finished. So, yesterday, I swung by Old Navy to see what summer beach totes they had on clearance and bought this cute <a href="http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=37729&pid=522877&scid=522877002" style="font-weight: bold;">destination tote</a> for about $8.00. No more tottering piles of books to juggle on my way out. It's roomy enough to fit all the many, many (many, many) books my kids want and I can keep my key chain library card in the zipper pouch in front. And the best thing? The color scheme takes me back to my childhood days in the 80's watching <a href="http://pbskids.org/readingrainbow/" style="font-weight: bold;">Reading Rainbow</a> on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/" style="font-weight: bold;">PBS</a>.</div><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture from <a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/?">Old Navy</a></span></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-34641991823466519562008-09-04T15:09:00.006-06:002008-09-04T16:44:47.117-06:00Beautiful Day<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepuLLtvgMyIAek7GIH_L1o1jmLzUJPbueXcL8ppuBqQ2b2g4ce4r1f-guQn_8i3zzbF1jXmVRQT0oBXRCX3HPKJ4toAkRzpN0suzeFUzsvr6h29lwqi08hQKWfzeDXl8_6io6yj5uBuoJ/s1600-h/DSC00335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepuLLtvgMyIAek7GIH_L1o1jmLzUJPbueXcL8ppuBqQ2b2g4ce4r1f-guQn_8i3zzbF1jXmVRQT0oBXRCX3HPKJ4toAkRzpN0suzeFUzsvr6h29lwqi08hQKWfzeDXl8_6io6yj5uBuoJ/s200/DSC00335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242277905877657826" border="0" /></a>I walked into my office this morning to find this lovely floral display. Two of my bosses brought it back from yesterday's Cache Rich Assoc. of Realtors luncheon. I'm happy they decided to let the receptionists have it. It's right above my computer screen and smells divine. Kind of makes me want to demand flowers more often from my husband...I won't though. It's more fun when they're given spontaneously. Like I can say, "Jon, I want more spontaneity--buy me flowers!" Ha! Right.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Close-up shot.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrCcQCaVyY8bjerwFbBxRcvnPtfHXKSZG4EA2aQyKy3mFOTavlkSriSxcvWIjsM6eizgF5rqh1N7btx0lvkhzSi-5ehqRMZjYFik34sKVTz4fk0Jad7iFBtiuMCeoWblJmb8cAxt7OAxj/s1600-h/DSC00336.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrCcQCaVyY8bjerwFbBxRcvnPtfHXKSZG4EA2aQyKy3mFOTavlkSriSxcvWIjsM6eizgF5rqh1N7btx0lvkhzSi-5ehqRMZjYFik34sKVTz4fk0Jad7iFBtiuMCeoWblJmb8cAxt7OAxj/s320/DSC00336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242277448363881922" border="0" /></a>I was obsessed with the little red berries. They're so colorful and fun.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwIDc27P9vgf5oz4-QNraZBbQ_UmpSPWUPuMAkibYMSuvChxoE6fvGEbTqSxGVuhLBUNw0qeBUIQLW828NhgckAOM05NW9ZLZNRV9_G4Ec-oamuQEvPLB1eBJAERoepI8FDg-9ArN5DNF/s1600-h/DSC00337.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwIDc27P9vgf5oz4-QNraZBbQ_UmpSPWUPuMAkibYMSuvChxoE6fvGEbTqSxGVuhLBUNw0qeBUIQLW828NhgckAOM05NW9ZLZNRV9_G4Ec-oamuQEvPLB1eBJAERoepI8FDg-9ArN5DNF/s320/DSC00337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242276963628318178" border="0" /></a>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915113820275481785.post-12331315988135783302008-09-04T14:45:00.006-06:002008-09-04T16:43:47.986-06:005 Confessions<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy06miLYaL6OcIRTnQ3lDmKMZAJxyzuvM9DJa_BK76boinB2PJ20pHOGxPd4a3SNcxvvHd48URjURZfVkZMC_is74lsaTNNELraFgBAbrmdzMRISlpXk2MMZ9WoVLdbgQrK972bGEJrJJ/s1600-h/DSC_0320c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy06miLYaL6OcIRTnQ3lDmKMZAJxyzuvM9DJa_BK76boinB2PJ20pHOGxPd4a3SNcxvvHd48URjURZfVkZMC_is74lsaTNNELraFgBAbrmdzMRISlpXk2MMZ9WoVLdbgQrK972bGEJrJJ/s200/DSC_0320c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242270446916988082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">I hate carnations, but secretly like the way they smell.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm landlocked, but am terrified of sharks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm a sucker for a nice compliment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I live in a messy house, but hate clutter.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I think everyone should seek counseling...the world would be a better place for it.</span><br /></div><br />Welcome to my madness...Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15211097183522838230noreply@blogger.com0