tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57487823536974899842024-03-14T03:56:12.747-04:00Living the Ohio WayColleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-74855221799714368712012-07-14T01:17:00.002-04:002012-07-14T01:18:27.460-04:00Pike Place Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fish throwing place - I only saw one fish being tossed around and it was for show, but maybe the real fish tossing happens in the morning??</div>
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Gorgeous bouquets of flowers were only $10!!</div>
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Lots of fresh fruits and veggies</div>
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Different peppers and garlic bulbs strung together and hung from ceilings</div>
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The ORIGINAL Starbucks location and logo</div>
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Delicious Russian bakery</div>
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Street vendor, balloon animal man</div>
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Disgusting gum wall - entire wall covered with chewed gum</div>
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I finally made it to Pike Place Market yesterday. I wasn't sure it was going to be possible because it closes at 6pm and the conference didn't end until 5pm every night, but yesterday, we finished a little early, so I hopped in a cab and headed for the water. The only way I can describe the market is a mix between Eastern Market in Washington DC and a Guatemalan marketplace. It was crazy!!!!! The street-level of the market is a farmer's market with lots of vendors selling fruits, vegetables, seafood, jams and jellies, and fresh-cut flowers ~ gorgeous flowers they were selling for just $10 a bunch! Had I gone to the market the first day I arrived in Seattle, I would have definitely bought a bouquet for the hotel room. I saw the iconic fish-throwing vendor, but it stunk so I didn't stick around long; the original Starbucks store, which was so crowded I barely snuck in the door for a picture; and the gum wall, which is just that - a wall in an alley-way that is covered in gum and even as I was standing there, people were sticking their fresh, chewed gum on it. </div>
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I liked the market and was glad to see it, but I couldn't imagine going there everyday for groceries. I'd rather have convenient parking at Kroger and no one elbowing me to get the best apple. Another Seattle landmark I can check off my list! Homeward bound tomorrow!!!!!</div>
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<br />Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-63901353693337331272012-07-13T01:20:00.001-04:002012-07-13T01:20:08.015-04:00Cheese curd mania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cheese curds.....should be re-named "Cheese Delicious" so people will actually give them a chance! Pretty much every restaurant in Seattle has fried cheese curds on the menu, so naturally I decided against ordering something that had the word "curd" in it's name and chalked it up to a disgusting city that serves curds to innocent midwesterners who don't know any better. Boy was I wrong! Thankfully, the other night I was out to dinner with a fellow teacher from the conference who ordered the fried curds to see what they were and I discovered the most deliciously satisfying piece of fried cheese known to mankind. There's no midwestern fired mozzarella stick that could possibly compare to these curds. It's probably a good thing my stomach has been feeling funny, thus relegating me to only 2 curd bites out of fear that I would pay for it later, because had I been at full stomach strength, that basket wouldn't have stood a chance. Hard to describe in words, but imagine tearing off a piece of slightly salty, firm, processed mozzarella flavor-type cheese and frying it to a golden brown yet it retains its firm texture despite being fried. It didn't melt in your mouth or get stringy like fried cheese usually does.<br />
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So, since my curd experience, I've been on a quest to find out exactly what a cheese curd is. Obviously I know the nursery rhyme of little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet eating her curds and whey, but what is a curd?? I thought a curd was the chunky part of sour milk, which is exactly why I would never order fried curds because who wants sour milk?! According to Wikipedia, which is basically the same as Webster's Dictionary (haha! Poor Miriam Webster certainly doesn't like that comparison!), a curd is just as I thought. And upon further reading, fried cheese curds are supposedly most common in Canada and the MIDWEST! Ummmm I think Wikipedia may have just lost some credibility because I for one have never seen cheese curds on any menu in Ohio. Anyways, I was at Pike's Public Market today and wouldn't you know, one of the first stores I came across had a big pan of fresh cheese curds sitting in it's window. So, you know have pictures above of cheese curds before and after frying :) Lesson learned: don't be afraid of curds.Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-27733801248549141812012-07-12T01:03:00.000-04:002012-07-12T01:03:56.620-04:00Dale Chihuly in Seattle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gigantic glass sculpture of waves and sea creatures</div>
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Glass objects laying on a glass ceiling to walk under</div>
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Rowboat filled with glass balls</div>
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Another rowboat filled with a variety of sculptures</div>
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chandelier hanging from ceiling</div>
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flower-like cups</div>
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beautiful sculptured flowers hanging in an atrium</div>
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The Space Needle is visible from the atrium!</div>
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Crazy garden sculpture</div>
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Best part of Seattle by far!! Dale Chihuly is a fabulous glass-blower who makes these unbelievably colorful sculptures all by hand. I'm not much into art appreciation and going to art galleries to stare at pictures of paint splattered on canvases, but give me a Chihuly exhibit any day and I will spend hours wondering around. I thought the Franklin Park Conservatory had a great Chihuly exhibit, but the size and complexity of these structures were astonishing. So, if you ever find yourself in Seattle with only $19 to spend, forget the Space Needle and head straight to the gardens next door - both the same entry price but Chihuly is way better!Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-49969259853697300942012-07-11T19:29:00.004-04:002012-07-11T19:29:51.852-04:00My kids vs. the rest of themThe past couple days I have visited and observed a school that teaches the same curriculum as the school I work at, but this school in Seattle is for typical kids who are just behind in school and need to catch up academically. Well, today I spent about 3 hours or so in an elementary classroom with typical kids (roughly 6-8 year old kids, so about the same age that I teach), but I left there thinking how much I LOVE autistic children :) There were no funny stories to bring away from the classroom ~ no kids throwing desks and chairs, none trying to secretly use legos and pencils as elevators because it gives them great joy, no one told me there was colorful cat hair in their sandwich, and no one was jumping up and down flapping their arms because they were so excited that they reached a goal. What a boring classroom! I chuckled to myself how much the teacher actually looked like a teacher - wearing a cute skirt and blouse with dress shoes and her hair neatly done. If I ever wore dress shoes to teach, I would break an ankle the first morning trying to catch one of my kids from running out of the room, or if I wore a skirt, it would be over my head within minutes of the day starting! One of my favorite days teaching is still when a student walked into my class after being absent and very seriously told me he had missed the past few days because he was sick with autism. It's good to be in a classroom with typical kids because it quickly reinforces my preference of being with a-typical kids! :)Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-75890888915272619292012-07-10T11:37:00.002-04:002012-07-10T11:37:28.244-04:00Not quite touristy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The things about Seattle that have intrigued me most are not the usual tourist spots. For starters, take a look at the first picture of a recycling center inside a hamburger restaurant. Instead of just a green trashcan with a recycling arrow picture, this place actually has 3 centers - food compostables, recycling, and garbage - with pictures of what exactly should go in each area. Brilliant! Although, I will say it took me longer to throw away my trash than ever before because I was trying to match the empty containers/papers on my tray to the exact location. I felt like a flashing red light would appear if I mixed something up! Ha!<br />
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Second thing I noticed right away is the conference food. So, I'm out here for a teaching conference lasting from 8:15am-5pm every day, so naturally I assumed there might be some treats to start off the morning. When ever I go to conferences or meetings in the morning back in Ohio, it never fails an assortment of delicious bagels, muffins, pastries, juice, etc. is waiting for everyone. But, not in health-conscience Seattle! We had a pitcher of water and some granola-type bars to munch on. I was weary of these gluten free, low glycemic, low sodium, dairy-free, cholesterol-free, no trans-fat fruit and nut bar things, but the Almond & Coconut KIND bar is amazing!!! I fully intend to pick some of these up when I get back home. An interesting change of pace from the usual conference food....although I would really like a danish right about now :)Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-29102927059679859492012-07-10T11:18:00.004-04:002012-07-10T11:18:51.416-04:00The Infamous Space Needle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn3gExOMNdFlrPMP19WecODXE4CA8jvilweafhW7L6yamXxrJWb5YyHVeKP3tDw6dhKyReCcEUqS_6hAgJTqmE8IJw9p28XCaia61WgVAFV0WXhmLyjnO1ppRsMsQzbZQJM9H6gOTOZ96/s1600/IMG_2651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn3gExOMNdFlrPMP19WecODXE4CA8jvilweafhW7L6yamXxrJWb5YyHVeKP3tDw6dhKyReCcEUqS_6hAgJTqmE8IJw9p28XCaia61WgVAFV0WXhmLyjnO1ppRsMsQzbZQJM9H6gOTOZ96/s320/IMG_2651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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View from my hotel</div>
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Cruise ship docked in Puget Sound</div>
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Looking out into Puget Sound</div>
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City of Seattle. Mt. Ranier is in the background but the snow-capped mountain top looked more like clouds</div>
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From the ground looking up</div>
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Weird straw garden at the base of the space needle</div>
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Today I went to the Space Needle after the conference. The sky was a beautiful blue with only a few small clouds here and there, so the visibility was great. I can see the needle from my hotel, so the first thing I noticed is that it is colorful and not nearly as tall as I thought it would be. Maybe it's an optical illusion from the ground, but I expected it to be more grandeur than what it actually is. From watching the opening of Grey's Anatomy for the past several years, I expected the needle to be solid white and towering over everything. The observation deck is 520 ft. above ground making it the tallest observation tower in Seattle, however, there are 5 skyscrapers that are actually taller than the needle. Perhaps a helicopter tour of Seattle and an aerial view of the needle would make it appear more like the movies do. So, for $19, I was a bit disappointed. It's one of those things I can say I did but I wouldn't pay to go to the top again.Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-74646384424592262702012-07-08T21:10:00.001-04:002012-07-08T21:10:23.724-04:00Seattle bound!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First of all, I can't believe I missed writing the entire month of June! No, life didn't stop and I was bored and that's why I had nothing to write about, but it was actually the complete opposite. This is a summer of weddings as I like to call it - ours in May, one an hour away the first weekend of June, another one in DC a couple weeks ago, another one in Florida coming up in a week, and rounding off the summer in September yet another wedding. So, Sam and I traveled a couple weekends in June and then I started back to school for summer camp and once school started again, I lost all energy by the time evening came to write any blog entries.<br />
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But, here I am reporting from Seattle, WA! I'm out here for a week on business - a conference on teaching that myself and 3 other teachers are attending. I've never been to Seattle but from all the brochures I gathered at the airport, there seems to be an abundance of activities to choose from. Hopefully the conference will end early or attractions stay open late so that I can see everything. If all goes well, you'll be reading about Dale Chihuly's Garden and Glass exhibit, the Space Needle, and Pike's Place Market. Those are my 3 goal places to visit!<br />
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Anyways, today was a travel day and as you can see from my airplane tray, it was not easy getting me on the plane. I really don't like flying by myself and being away from Sam for a whole week is dreadful, so I wasn't looking forward to today at all. The plane to chicago was one of the little commuter jets - 2 seats on one side and 1 seat on the other. First it was a half hour late, so I waited in the airport pacing texting Sam back and forth as he gave me pep talks to get on the plane. Then right before we boarded, the airline attendant said the bathroom on the plane was broken and would be out of service. Now, I despise using airplane bathrooms because they are so tiny and usually smell yucky, but it's comforting to know there is a bathroom on the plane should it be required during the flight, so the fact that there wasn't going to be one, and the plane couldn't make a pit stop at McDonald's while flying, made my stomach hurt even worse with anxiety. When I actually did board the plane, I almost darted back up the ramp into the airport - it was so small and all the window shades closed to keep the sun from heating it up but it looked like I was walking into a coffin. I had to duck my head and turn sideways. Panic was setting in...no, I take that back, panic had already set in. I kept telling myself it was only 45 minutes in the air and I would be okay....but then just when I calmed down, the pilot announced there were bad storms and we would reroute to fly over St. Louis and then to Chicago. Oh and we would be sitting inside the plane another 30 minutes to get more fuel for our trip. So, I set up my little tray table for the trip ~ bottle of water, cup of ginger ale with the can to refill my cup, saltine crackers, my rosary, and my iPod. Oh what a sight I was! Haha! I held my rosary in my hand the entire trip and said my prayers while listening on my iPod to the Hogar kids chanting in church. As peaceful as I could make it 30,000 feet in the air flying in a dark coffin! Now to look up rental cars for my trip back home in a week..... :)<br />
<br />Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-33041807660120395682012-05-30T21:24:00.000-04:002012-05-30T21:24:00.572-04:00Nature's finest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Captain Sam driving the boat</div>
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The bathrooms...no water and lots of bugs! </div>
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Home sweet tent!</div>
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My first camping experience and it was 95 degrees outside at a park without running water in the bathrooms....I was not impressed to say the least. However, I like to say I give everything a fair shot once before deciding if I will try it again, and camping in the heat is not a fair shot. So, I will give it another go when temperatures drop below 65 degrees in the Fall :)<br />
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We received many camping items for wedding gifts and decided to spend Memorial Day weekend on the Ohio River at Forked Run Metro Park with Sam's dad, grandma, brother, and brother's girlfriend. Sam and I had spent the previous week scouring the Forked Run website for the perfect campsite to reserve for 3 tents and we found it! However, our first indication of how the weekend was going to unfold came when we arrived at the park to find someone else had stolen our site! Yes, they STOLE our campsite. When we checked in upon arriving, the park ranger said they put our little reserved tag on the post of campsite 118 for us, so we drove on into the park and found our site. But, already set up were several tents, clothes lines, camping chairs, and other camping equipment. The people stole our reserved tag off the post and pretended they had reserved it. We told the park ranger and she said they would make the people move, but we didn't want to anger them and have them come back for revenge on us during the night....did I mention the campers had a black skull and crossbones flag on their tent that said "Death Camp. Take No Prisoners"and they wore black leather with chains?? Yea....we decided the leave them alone. So, we found another site and it was fine, but the whole experience put a slight crimp in my impression of camping.<br />
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After setting up our tents, we all went to the river and spent a great afternoon on Sam's dad's large boat. It was great for relaxing and cruising along the river. We jumped off the front and swam to cool off. I never thought I would actually swim in the Ohio River (it's not exactly known for it's cleanliness and the fact that catfish the size of cars live on the bottom doesn't make it that enticing either) but with no shade or air conditioning in 95 degree heat, swimming was the only thing that kept me cool.<br />
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We boated all afternoon and into the evening, so it was dark when we got back to the campsite. Poor planning on our part because we had to finish setting up tents in the dark and attempt to fix hotdogs on our camping grill with only flashlights. Unfortunately, it was too hot to sit around the campfire and enjoy the best part of camping, so everyone pretty much turned in for the night. Sleeping in a tent outside is...different. Every shadow on the tent creeped me out and with the heat it was impossible to get comfortable. Around 5am it cooled off enough to sleep but then the sun came up and night was over! So, not much sleeping. We fixed pancakes on the grill and left for home around 9am.<br />
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<br />Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-34060766616588675392012-05-13T00:17:00.000-04:002012-05-13T00:17:29.457-04:00Introducing Mr. and Mrs.!!!!<span id="goog_936943029"></span><span id="goog_936943030"></span>It's Monday morning and I'm sitting next to my HUSBAND on the airplane! Yes, I am officially married and our wedding was beautiful. It's so weird to look over at Sam's hand and see a ring on it. He rarely wears jewelry, and even then it's only a watch, so to see a ring on his finger brings back the butterflies that I had on our first date 2 years ago. Wow.<br />
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So, the wedding festivities began on Wednesday May 2nd with the arrival of Ericka from Guatemala. It was a fun day viewing the United States through her eyes, having never been out of Guatemala. She's lived 36 years in a third world country having never walked on carpet, relaxed in a bathtub, and slept in a bed larger than twin size. She was in complete disbelief at our dishwasher, which might possibly be the funniest memory of her trip. She began washing her dishes in the kitchen sink when I looked over and said she didn't need to do that because we could just put them in the dishwasher. I then proceeded to open the dishwasher, load it, and close it, never stopping to look at her facial expression. Her jaw had dropped and she said, "A machine that washes plates? Really? I knew there was a machine that washed clothing, but this one washes plates?" And she proceeded to stand and stare at the closed door while the lights flashed and the dishwasher started up. Another little Ericka story - we went to Meijer to develop some pictures and again, mom and I walk right into the store but Ericka stops to stare at the automatic opening doors. She had only seen ones that slid open and never ones that opened in/out. She also couldn't believe there were plants and items for sale sitting outside the store. In Guatemala they would be stolen. She was very impressed by American people that we could leave something outside (or put letters in mailboxes for that matter) and they wouldn't be stolen. So, needless to say, it has been wonderful and entertaining having Ericka with us for the wedding.<br />
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Mother Maria from Guatemala arrived on Thursday and it was a delight to have her back again to our house. She made herself at home in our "monastery" in the basement and loved the new queen size bed in her room. Friday was the day of our rehearsal and also the day for our ladies lunch at Brookside. My aunt Denise planned such a beautiful luncheon just for the girls in my family to relax and enjoy each others company before the wedding. Then came the rehearsal at 4pm, where I proceeded to bawl my eyes out walking the aisle, standing on the alter, and soaking in every minute of what the next day would hold. Sam's mom and dad planned the rehearsal dinner at Polaris Grill, where we had our choice of 4 delicious dishes - steak, seafood linguine, chicken, or porkchops. However, I never got to eat anything. So, we had just finished our salad course, Sam and I handed out gifts, and then came the brutal thunderstorm that - wait for it - knocked out the power in the restaurant!!! No joke!! Everything was out and there was no way to cook the food. They even had to put a couple candles in the bathroom because it was pitch black in there. I couldn't believe it was happening. After waiting 2 hours or so, most our family and friends had decided to leave, so it was down to just 15 people or so, mainly Sam's family members who were staying at the hotel next door, but the lights came on and the remaining people re-ordered their meals. I was so nervous at that point that I didn't feel like eating, so I didn't order anything, but Sam was able to eat at 9:30pm finally. What an adventure!<br />
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Saturday was the big day!! I got my hair done with Kacy and Jess in the morning and arrived at St. Paul around 9:45am to begin getting dressed. My bridesmaids were so great helping me, and my mom and Cara looked beautiful. I can't wait to get our professional pictures back to relive every moment. The flowers looked great even after ordering them on such short notice. Kroger was suppose to do my flowers but the florist backed out a week before the wedding. We scrambled to find someone else and actually, Ole Barn Flowers did a superb job - I can't imagine Kroger could have done better. God is good! I carried white and green hydrangeas with white lilies and some green ivy. The bridesmaids had blue and purple hydrangeas. Stunning against their grey dresses. I wasn't nervous at all until the 5 minutes before the ceremony began when I was waiting alone in the vestibule to meet my dad before going down the aisle. It was a beautiful ceremony and everything went off without a hitch. I couldn't stop beaming as the tears streamed down my face approaching Sam at the end of the aisle. He was so handsome and I couldn't believe I was the lucky girl who gets to spend the rest of my life with him. Following the hour mass, we partied at Medallion Golf Club! The bridal party was able to take golf carts out on the course for pictures - that was fun! The meal was chicken breast with basil cream sauce, sirloin steak with a mushroom wine sauce, green beans, and garlic mashed potatoes. We also had salad and rolls and the vegetarian entree was a fried polenta cake with grilled vegetables on top. It also looked delicious. Megan's dad was so kind to make our wedding cake as a gift to us. Everyone raved over it! It was 3 layers with white, pleated icing and sugar crystals, with blue hydrangea flowers in between the cake layers and a flower on top. Gorgeous! The bottom layer was orange cake with raspberry filling, the middle was apricot pudding cake with vanilla bavarian filling, and the top was cinnamon cake with apple filling. He really outdid himself!<br />
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Words can't do justice to how I felt on our wedding day. I dreamed of it for so long and then spent months stressing and planning it, but everything went very smoothly and it was all I could have asked for. Big is God for bringing Sam and I together in DC and then blessing us with our new life together in Ohio. And now we are husband and wife headed to California for our honeymoon.Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-30396671395988535622012-03-28T21:59:00.004-04:002012-03-28T22:11:35.167-04:00Spring has Sprung!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt47SAMgRsLYosIr8zsVGG5Q6ATpdSqjr7QeEjnAxct8K5cNluuVx7i3M0ATrcF9qpc-vZBhbkIP_HELsOomy-A6GOOsjgRnLjf16bHrfUN-l6zFZZdLLVaCu7a85Tv24lH-zFaXtdVJJj/s1600/IMG_1854.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt47SAMgRsLYosIr8zsVGG5Q6ATpdSqjr7QeEjnAxct8K5cNluuVx7i3M0ATrcF9qpc-vZBhbkIP_HELsOomy-A6GOOsjgRnLjf16bHrfUN-l6zFZZdLLVaCu7a85Tv24lH-zFaXtdVJJj/s320/IMG_1854.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725133197963972642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Tulip tree</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnU6QUszfUyXSqlHPjQVTFMQ8t0VyhZlUl_b1MotJ2n3rchmTQr9brcc7TUn9xzffHcVnjZ3pNoBMchWwD3LEPsa7iwyfIxHuJYIpjbIdAzacY6TuszFb1-470BqvY5QbdR_mdyFfS91j/s1600/IMG_1855.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnU6QUszfUyXSqlHPjQVTFMQ8t0VyhZlUl_b1MotJ2n3rchmTQr9brcc7TUn9xzffHcVnjZ3pNoBMchWwD3LEPsa7iwyfIxHuJYIpjbIdAzacY6TuszFb1-470BqvY5QbdR_mdyFfS91j/s320/IMG_1855.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725133195582332914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Myrtle blooming</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojPuVZyFqs_IQElFwhJ37mjlnL0lcg5IbWdOK5zyfrVuSFq244CjzLHlSzqXpScqcTQ91dmftP9dU2bbvp9NQ0YseHlaeCJ_dutbSxeL9nIYLm-6C0tjQxVcYT9JeuVl5q4tj4kH74Nri/s1600/IMG_1857.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojPuVZyFqs_IQElFwhJ37mjlnL0lcg5IbWdOK5zyfrVuSFq244CjzLHlSzqXpScqcTQ91dmftP9dU2bbvp9NQ0YseHlaeCJ_dutbSxeL9nIYLm-6C0tjQxVcYT9JeuVl5q4tj4kH74Nri/s320/IMG_1857.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725133191745872210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cherry tree</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BdTsM9Lt53_cAIwyHDKppEEmRIkDcAy9xuT9n2KtKGZ4Pf003ZUpgOxbacATg4TigFZmBlM1fi7zibTe_rp2FyCtsFFL4IexSuSdRhKfDCz1ZdInDtRZ9owcIVqmmeEEPeanfN5bQvde/s1600/IMG_1859.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BdTsM9Lt53_cAIwyHDKppEEmRIkDcAy9xuT9n2KtKGZ4Pf003ZUpgOxbacATg4TigFZmBlM1fi7zibTe_rp2FyCtsFFL4IexSuSdRhKfDCz1ZdInDtRZ9owcIVqmmeEEPeanfN5bQvde/s320/IMG_1859.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725133189135669554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> Daffodils </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HDADAj94tGWnd-F4gT-AGbPFC1wqQab6s9SCjJVROyMLWxkJqqhRAA8CXp-I7EqrExhal7Mvaa04_HbGy5VUuKMUqUPbGj5DKGMdSvFDdh78UxuXZAE4pc7hCTvn6LTppSAgH11iXVbK/s1600/IMG_1905.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HDADAj94tGWnd-F4gT-AGbPFC1wqQab6s9SCjJVROyMLWxkJqqhRAA8CXp-I7EqrExhal7Mvaa04_HbGy5VUuKMUqUPbGj5DKGMdSvFDdh78UxuXZAE4pc7hCTvn6LTppSAgH11iXVbK/s320/IMG_1905.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725133183711069746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">White lilacs</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's the end of March and spring has come...or at least I hope all the beautiful trees and bushes and flowers in our yard means it has come and is here to stay! It's been so exciting thus far watching everything green-up in the yard and bloom. When we first looked at the house, it was already fall and most of the leaves were off the trees, so we didn't know exactly what the landscaping would look like come spring. We have already spent a lot of time weeding gardens and raking leaves left over from the fall, and after our wedding, we intend to expand some gardens and remove a couple ugly bushes in the back. I just love love love gardening! I'm very thankful to my mom for making me help her with our gardens while I was growing up, even when I complained and would rather have been doing something else on the early Saturday mornings. As I've gotten older, I started really looking forward to going to garden centers with mom and picking out our flowers each spring. We would come up with a color palette for the front yard and back yard, and then spend an entire weekend prepping the gardens, planting, and mulching. Some years we would be working in the scorching sun and others we would have sweatshirts on (good ol' Ohio weather!), but I really cherish the times I spent with mom in our gardens. Now with our own house, I feel prepared to tackle weeds, know how to prep the garden soil for maximum flower growth, how to choose hardy flowers that are not going to wilt and die by June, and how to tell just how much water everything needs. I love putting a cute pair of gardening gloves on and kneeling in the grass to get my gloves dirty in the garden :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stay tuned for more pictures as our yard shapes up this spring! I may even talk mom into splitting some gardening hours between our houses to swap tips :)</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-79138483073876359062012-03-22T08:27:00.002-04:002012-03-22T08:58:20.468-04:0028 yearsYesterday was my 28th birthday! Wohoo! It was a wonderful day that started with a bike ride in the morning, followed by lunch with some good friends, an afternoon in the backyard watching Leo play with our friends' dog, and I finished off the day with a delicious picnic dinner with my family. It was really a nice, enjoyable day and the weather was beautiful!! A little hot in the sun - 85 degrees - but in the shade of our backyard, sitting on the patio furniture listening to birds chirping....ahhhh....life is grand. <div><br /></div><div>Next year on this day, I will be celebrating my 29th birthday with my HUSBAND!! Wow!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-88812626866705857792012-03-19T22:46:00.002-04:002012-03-19T23:04:43.821-04:00Dog friendship<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV8Hk9UYN54S-nk7xt19Ry8cj3v_ilcbVNto15JINqp1pkXFUmO1MdrW5LeqvybRiTeYOh8UtqkLjY-W5d2vb1x8ETuY_4iO6NilqYXrkXLDLwAdfI6hmwCe0ufCjyX476lqRmWcpfX0d/s1600/IMG_1852.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV8Hk9UYN54S-nk7xt19Ry8cj3v_ilcbVNto15JINqp1pkXFUmO1MdrW5LeqvybRiTeYOh8UtqkLjY-W5d2vb1x8ETuY_4iO6NilqYXrkXLDLwAdfI6hmwCe0ufCjyX476lqRmWcpfX0d/s320/IMG_1852.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721806797637427938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">They even shared the same stick!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIxs12ElVi12n5VCUxYUEnxdf9IjlXimf1qqo_I_scwNQNL3jXhzohJhjQDSMDkUq-hcnZuRFz_VXCar1yL48YOuekPOul7t5MBHZoVLEucAY003KimV1uAQDFQ7R0M2-cUL_SvWgeC5G/s1600/IMG_1843.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIxs12ElVi12n5VCUxYUEnxdf9IjlXimf1qqo_I_scwNQNL3jXhzohJhjQDSMDkUq-hcnZuRFz_VXCar1yL48YOuekPOul7t5MBHZoVLEucAY003KimV1uAQDFQ7R0M2-cUL_SvWgeC5G/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721806788761515298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">So happy to have a friend :)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnhkXMvZYNseGjPbgSheTWe2wL1nVFIouviF-LCDxAgBuoY4X4cd6SxdKZ4lY8qQLF47Px2jpbttWoJrxfRjY9-JsC37yMVF33_efMZKPv8VFz5Z5y36kswoXxzoDRLKOxrzZDcw5VDHC/s1600/IMG_1837.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnhkXMvZYNseGjPbgSheTWe2wL1nVFIouviF-LCDxAgBuoY4X4cd6SxdKZ4lY8qQLF47Px2jpbttWoJrxfRjY9-JsC37yMVF33_efMZKPv8VFz5Z5y36kswoXxzoDRLKOxrzZDcw5VDHC/s320/IMG_1837.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721806788614865170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQYJNiP9f4h69Wx7_wkKMVYEaZUhHke-XsHTCtqWEk6AXcOkTn1rchOHAwsb8i-23Br3MRP-OVp3xg_Zt_d7nXgsaaF6UlxTmGH97jHt8CFeiXVVyhzRlHbD0VOrWnr61evDbSgM25BA-/s1600/IMG_1826.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQYJNiP9f4h69Wx7_wkKMVYEaZUhHke-XsHTCtqWEk6AXcOkTn1rchOHAwsb8i-23Br3MRP-OVp3xg_Zt_d7nXgsaaF6UlxTmGH97jHt8CFeiXVVyhzRlHbD0VOrWnr61evDbSgM25BA-/s320/IMG_1826.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721806782562044610" /></a>We took Leo to Sam's mom's house this weekend to meet her dog, Jax, and have a large place to run and explore. He is such a good dog that we let him off his leash soon after arriving and he didn't try to run off and we didn't have a problem getting him to come when called. That was a big relief because Laura has 20+ acres of land (I think it's something around there) so there was definitely ample land for him to run and not return. But, we didn't lose him and he LOVED Jax and the day was a success.<div><br /></div><div>However, I must say dogs are weird creatures when it comes to socializing. I was a nervous wreck the entire day because Leo and Jax spent 85% of the time wrestling, 12% of the time running full speed through thorn bushes and briars in the woods, and 3% of the time laying on the carpet sleeping, only to recuperate and start wrestling all over again. They were biting each other's necks and ears and flipping each other upside down....it was like WWF wrestling but REAL! Sam kept reassuring me they were playing because their tails were always wagging and there was nothing to worry about, but there were many times where I thought Leo was going to come home with one less ear. And his ears are his best feature! Sam said when dogs are fighting or being aggressive, their tails will drop low and they will bark or have a deep growl and it would be evident they did not like each other, but as long as their tails were still wagging high in the air, they were just having fun. Wish he had told me this before the wrestling started and I tried to leap in the middle of them! Ha!</div><div><br /></div><div>But, it was a wonderful day for everyone and I am glad to know Leo has a friend :) Now if only we could get his car-sickness resolved before our next hour-long car trip!</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-91414123458688243722012-03-14T22:35:00.002-04:002012-03-14T22:58:32.281-04:00Leo updateLeo, Leo, Leo....where to begin. Okay, so Leo has been home almost 2 weeks now and he is definitely finished with the "honeymoon stage" of being a model dog and has now moved on to the "I have trapped you with my cuteness and now I will show you who is really in charge of this house" stage. Don't get me wrong, he is still a sweet dog most of the time, but when he isn't, he really isn't! For example, he is quite calm inside and will lay at your feet watching tv or following you around the house. He doesn't bark and whine or beg for food from the table (he will lay under the table but not sit and be obnoxious). He doesn't jump on furniture or chew and tear at things. He's had a couple accidents inside but nothing major...actually, he has had less accidents than my kids at school! Ha! Just today, one of my students missed the toilet and peed on his pants and underwear, and he didn't have an extra change of clothes, causing me to run all over the school searching in lost and found bins for pants that would fit him and then convincing the student he would have to wear the pants without underwear because we didn't have spare undies at school, and he was NOT a happy camper with that! *sigh*<div><br /></div><div>Anyways, back to Leo, so he is a generally very good dog inside. BUT, and this is a big but, when he is outside in the backyard, he is a raving lunatic that runs at top speeds from one side of the yard to the other, weaving around trees and flower beds, searching Sam and I out to jump on and bite and scratch. We realize he is not doing it to be mean and that he is just overly eager to play, but as I'm applying Neosporin ointment to my entire arm and putting an ice pack on it to keep the bruising down, it's a little more difficult to rationalize his "playfulness." I will say, however, after that incident, while I was sitting on the couch with an ice pack, Leo sat right next to me trying to lick my arm and putting his head in my lap as if to say he was very sorry. We are trying to exercise him a lot everyday with walks and off leash in the backyard and giving him lots of chew toys to see if that helps with the biting, but I'm starting to wonder if we could find a vet to de-tooth Leo like they de-claw cats :) Joking! Well, only partially joking :)</div><div><br /></div><div>But, Leo is still more fun than not and his pro side of the list still outweighs his con side, so after 2 weeks, we are still dog-owners :)</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-9377705340679285652012-03-06T10:12:00.004-05:002012-03-06T11:19:57.128-05:00Meet Leo!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_ul-bSyAQN-sDpNIsKJ-SlE2us2ZlBxQNYnD_JQSPGbNivk-Fv3Bi7bXKQpojpWCqCv_7Xd3e7Aag7wppqL6zHxq3SDMNijLrdVVnZO3wBEtmW6s2at9RNN5grR5L-0dDW0Y04-Jy-YA/s1600/LEo2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_ul-bSyAQN-sDpNIsKJ-SlE2us2ZlBxQNYnD_JQSPGbNivk-Fv3Bi7bXKQpojpWCqCv_7Xd3e7Aag7wppqL6zHxq3SDMNijLrdVVnZO3wBEtmW6s2at9RNN5grR5L-0dDW0Y04-Jy-YA/s320/LEo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716807399581959458" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvEtn_Ekxdepaow3sRVDsvf9wtsw-7pWHH1PDI4ypFha53_HZNtErFipod9nagWYoNLBmpI41om0tQCZG5_rsd-cLInT4P0MzUN6rPbSxNAMUAI-uGqx-d1c_sCJ6eWtVZWzHhr0rU04E/s1600/LEo3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvEtn_Ekxdepaow3sRVDsvf9wtsw-7pWHH1PDI4ypFha53_HZNtErFipod9nagWYoNLBmpI41om0tQCZG5_rsd-cLInT4P0MzUN6rPbSxNAMUAI-uGqx-d1c_sCJ6eWtVZWzHhr0rU04E/s320/LEo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716807394362298146" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevvQWDpER8ur0d0KXzsRNgHN8v-Jsp03bMjZJKfMcdjKjLq6XGcYSXH30Te-yW-6I2OLvyYOyEgjl1yokDHgy1Ise3iJ4QUwfn_5AzXyhwWOP9m5RbtPLzR695_WqyhWzZOHYAHgeoZSM/s1600/Leo1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevvQWDpER8ur0d0KXzsRNgHN8v-Jsp03bMjZJKfMcdjKjLq6XGcYSXH30Te-yW-6I2OLvyYOyEgjl1yokDHgy1Ise3iJ4QUwfn_5AzXyhwWOP9m5RbtPLzR695_WqyhWzZOHYAHgeoZSM/s320/Leo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716807408828495330" border="0" /></a>Sam and I rescued a 10 month old mixed labrador from an animal shelter over the weekend. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would be a dog owner, but here we are! It's funny because even just 4 months ago when we were looking at the house we bought, our relator said "What a great fenced-in backyard for a dog" and I immediately said "Oh no, we will never get a dog. I hate dogs!" Well, it wasn't too much later that Sam's mom got a new puppy (Jax) and we were visiting her and I had so much fun walking and playing with Jax! My experience with dogs up til that point had been one biting me as a child and another breaking through a fence and charging at me barking and growling while I collected money on my paper route as a teenager. Plus, I thought dogs were smelly and hairy and drooled and seemed to always poop wherever I liked to walk.<br /><br />However, as I played with Jax, I realized that I might like to have a dog IF and only IF the dog was small enough for me to control and not be frightened he was going to eat me. So, we started taking our time looking on shelter websites and we deliberated about what it would mean to have a dog and not be able to spur of the moment leave for a long period of time but ultimately, we decided the pros out weighed the cons. Sam's requirements for a dog: smart enough to learn tricks, well behaved, and large enough he wouldn't be a snack for other dogs. My requirements: doesn't yappity yap and drive me nuts, active outside but wouldn't ruin our new house inside, and small enough he wouldn't eat me. Leo meets every requirement! Amazing!<br /><br />We found him at the animal shelter and he was the only dog not jumping up to the window and barking; we walked by and he was calmly laying on a blanket in his room and when we opened the door, he walked right over and sat down. To this day, he still has never barked, so maybe his vocal chords are damaged?? Or he just hasn't found a good enough reason to bark! He is 10 months old and 54 pounds, so a good size dog and will likely get a little bigger. The shelter has him listed as mixed breed, but he definitely has a lot of black labrador in him because he is smart and very well behaved. Sam is using "clicker training" to teach Leo how to behave and he catches on quick! He already makes eye contact when you call his name and he sits on command. Only had one small pee accident in the house the first day he was home and since then has consistently gone outside. He even poops in the spot we took him to originally in the yard where we want him to go! What a champ! Sam said he sleeps through the night in his crate in the office and never whines or barks when Sam puts him in.<br /><br />So, we are dog owners now and so far so good!Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-42126332008873881022012-02-25T09:07:00.002-05:002012-02-25T09:29:28.940-05:00Countdown10 weeks until our wedding!!! Incredible how time flies. There is a website called "The Knot" that is THE central place to go as soon as you get engaged. It has everything imaginable needed to plan a wedding - dress trends, bridal party trends, favors, invitations, reception ideas, centerpieces, cakes, etc. You name it and it has it. Some of the things you can purchase and order directly from the site, other things are there for ideas and recommendations of venues and vendors in your area. It really is an amazing site. The thing most people go there for is to create your own webpage. The Knot has a tool to create your own wedding website with all kinds of details about you and your fiance and your wedding. Great resource for guests. Our website is <a href="http://samandcolleen.ourwedding.com">http://samandcolleen.ourwedding.com </a> Please visit! <div><br /></div><div>Anyways, after realizing we are 10 weeks out until the big day, I logged into The Knot to browse the site and right there at the top of my page, next to our wedding countdown clock, is a button to click on and see what The Knot says is still left to do planning wise. So, according to the website general checklist, I have 93 items overdue and 189 yet to do before the big day. Talk about PANIC!! However, as I went through the checklist, I realized that we actually have most of the things covered already and the 189 things yet to do have some ridiculous suggestions. The funniest one I saw: assign a person to remind you to eat at your reception. Hmmm really??? I need someone to remind me to eat? That has never been a problem for me my entire life! Ha! What exactly would I be doing while all of our guests are seated eating dinner that I would "forget" to also sit down at our table and eat? Standing in the middle of the room daydreaming and oblivious to the delicious meal being served and the beautiful wedding cake beckoning to be eaten?? I think not! common sense tells me that when a plate of food is placed in front of me, I should pick up my fork and eat. Done. No need to assign someone to tell me to do that.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, with 10 weeks to go, I ignored The Knot checklist and I think we are doing just fine being prepared :)</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-76424119337239249142012-02-15T22:29:00.002-05:002012-02-15T22:43:25.531-05:00Valentine's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRWAGOYQt-cS2S5tR47NcavVElDO1OQxXEB_xQ-zymIU2PqYuvjf2cwK7ldREZzmogSbfeUhzDdmMJqbN27MB3HEdOXLk2OPD-Mu_Yu2NXAZuD15V1r7mJ42dIJAuJp6LrLsJk-KHscl8/s1600/422376_623207999545_1278815075_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRWAGOYQt-cS2S5tR47NcavVElDO1OQxXEB_xQ-zymIU2PqYuvjf2cwK7ldREZzmogSbfeUhzDdmMJqbN27MB3HEdOXLk2OPD-Mu_Yu2NXAZuD15V1r7mJ42dIJAuJp6LrLsJk-KHscl8/s320/422376_623207999545_1278815075_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709570865982620834" /></a>Yesterday was my last Valentine's Day being "single" and next year, I can shop for a card in the "For My Husband" section! Wohoo! Sam sent me these beautiful flowers at work. It brightened my whole day to get a surprise delivery in the afternoon right when the kids were full of sugar and sweets from their Valentine party. Excellent timing because I was about to pull my hair out! <div><br /></div><div>Valentine's Day has always been a fun holiday and I still don't understand why people get so bitter about it if they are not in a relationship. I just learned that 12% of women send themselves flowers at work on Valentine's Day to look good in front of their co-workers! 12%!!!! That is so pathetic! Just because you do not have a boyfriend or girlfriend on Valentine's Day, doesn't mean it's a horrible holiday...how about sending a flower to your mom or dad to say thanks for raising you? Or how about taking a bouquet of flowers to a nursing home and giving a rose to each resident who probably lost their own Valentine years ago? Or even still, how about making cookies and taking them to a homeless shelter? I have no patience and time for people who wallow in their own self-pity, especially around Valentine's Day. Use the day as an opportunity to spread some love to others!</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-49365531037689409212012-02-06T13:03:00.008-05:002012-02-06T15:31:15.486-05:00Time is flying!Yesterday I moved out of my apartment and into my parent's house until the wedding and it dawned on me as I was moving that a new part of my life was just beginning. I was now in official wedding countdown mode because my single life was over ~ I will never again be signing an apartment lease for one, coming home from work to an empty place, grocery shopping for 1, or cooking for 1...I'm going from "me" to "we" and it thrills me! With each box I carried to my car, I had this exciting bubble welling up inside me at the thought of spending the rest of my life with Sam. I hate the marriage symbol of a "ball and chain" because if that is truly how a person feels getting married, he/she should NOT be walking down the aisle! When I think of my future with Sam, the thought of being "tied down" never crosses my mind. It's actually the opposite - I feel free to try anything my heart desires because I have someone to catch me if I fall and soar with me when I fly. I'm not in this life alone and it's an awesome feeling to have someone to share everything with. Marriage is like gaining a pair of wings; not a ball and chain.<br /><br />Only 89 days until I marry my best friend, my soulmate, and my love. I feel like shouting it from every rooftop!Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-32418066313794188052012-02-02T23:26:00.004-05:002012-02-04T21:57:30.488-05:00DIY Colleen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DtDhD51_w1gBECJLb0foeRvEBdsxi3oKOkuyXhTTpoO9GWOPelsC4LADWoafK3WihWn8bhljm389OU11SQ15FDtlb4jLKhvNAz1LCEkKL6WP4FBuOoCzQXZOmhUxvTl1QMBeZsovl07r/s1600/IMG_1752.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DtDhD51_w1gBECJLb0foeRvEBdsxi3oKOkuyXhTTpoO9GWOPelsC4LADWoafK3WihWn8bhljm389OU11SQ15FDtlb4jLKhvNAz1LCEkKL6WP4FBuOoCzQXZOmhUxvTl1QMBeZsovl07r/s320/IMG_1752.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704761768527027970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt5kB7NvX8lQT7Z7gbJh3vPMcIHmzr8sMw4KM-ag_WgeNZSMNlgFYrlRh85XK7ewmM6zKozjaqfecTpjMEEDJjJd3mfzX4hKJnypVVsGW9V4spmX0sAhBFPFNBS5cqspH4SgBTFpfZMwI/s1600/IMG_1753.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt5kB7NvX8lQT7Z7gbJh3vPMcIHmzr8sMw4KM-ag_WgeNZSMNlgFYrlRh85XK7ewmM6zKozjaqfecTpjMEEDJjJd3mfzX4hKJnypVVsGW9V4spmX0sAhBFPFNBS5cqspH4SgBTFpfZMwI/s320/IMG_1753.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704761764064305714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhqfv5oQ7a_X_HRNpvFS43EOqWx6ssr0mldQ9v5cJivQrIF8kuLleuBEgYvTqhQisbL2IcTqeyeD0qc6tz1ZJo0dRSXxQ9KU5b4TY_fSSEVZ-uS-yKBmEUG3rE0NHq7diCDMG9jDphuJw/s1600/IMG_1754.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhqfv5oQ7a_X_HRNpvFS43EOqWx6ssr0mldQ9v5cJivQrIF8kuLleuBEgYvTqhQisbL2IcTqeyeD0qc6tz1ZJo0dRSXxQ9KU5b4TY_fSSEVZ-uS-yKBmEUG3rE0NHq7diCDMG9jDphuJw/s320/IMG_1754.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704761759061801842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqWazU-5Bisvai1yjiGQyTXZoHoXM2nXcX463RuzYcTz25xv9gY20HEMuYpM3Sg3LkjgdTas0fF35zBEdd7bKeigwbhDzYb4LNmK18uY1xi9RgXiQrcoHkYSRstYjkqzU7bkni5OaxiiB/s1600/IMG_1758.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqWazU-5Bisvai1yjiGQyTXZoHoXM2nXcX463RuzYcTz25xv9gY20HEMuYpM3Sg3LkjgdTas0fF35zBEdd7bKeigwbhDzYb4LNmK18uY1xi9RgXiQrcoHkYSRstYjkqzU7bkni5OaxiiB/s320/IMG_1758.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704761761549392450" /></a>My new favorite website is Pinterest and it has taken over our new house! Ha! If you've never been to Pinterest, you have to check it out. Basically it's a site for sharing pictures of anything and everything via "bulletin boards" created by users. You can create theme boards of anything - recipes, crafts, favorite quotes, fashion, wedding, etc. - and every picture you post is linked to the website where you found the idea. I'm on it mainly for the DIY crafts because I love creating in my new craft room, which you can see by my pictures! Since Valentine's day is approaching, I thought our house needed some sprucing up ~ fabric framed heart, felt heart tree branches, garland for the mantle, and a table runner for the island. I found each of these crafts online just doing a standard Google search of Valentine craft ideas, and then when I found something I liked, I "pinned" to my Pinterest bulletin board to save the idea. Before Pinterest, I would save websites to my favorites folder or save pictures to my desktop, but now it's so much easier to put in on Pinterest and all my crafting projects are in one location sorted however I want them. Love it!Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-58584398206466260292012-01-30T18:07:00.003-05:002012-02-02T23:26:20.170-05:00That's how it goes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5CiGPLELNoGGYaGur3WXiOAWnfCiIDg28RzwcGfWyRBZT2LZCkeGlLZWJrDP4J0vIz_eL-WKuktmRPKNLYZ6wxCjOyG4ybk_2tFVG_c7cGcvxfY4qLXw_93NFsVIXmrfNvC0aOIsMlQO/s1600/IMG_20120130_142002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5CiGPLELNoGGYaGur3WXiOAWnfCiIDg28RzwcGfWyRBZT2LZCkeGlLZWJrDP4J0vIz_eL-WKuktmRPKNLYZ6wxCjOyG4ybk_2tFVG_c7cGcvxfY4qLXw_93NFsVIXmrfNvC0aOIsMlQO/s320/IMG_20120130_142002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703565753640279010" /></a>It's true what parents say about giving young children toys - they are more interested in the box and wrapping paper than what's inside. However, we still continue to buy the neatest noise-making, sparkly, hippest toys because we think the child will love it. Apparently, despite all my years studying child development, I still fell trap to this phenomenon. I have a desk drawer at school full of stickers - glittery, shiny, holographic, animals, disney characters, princesses, fairies, etc. You name it and I probably have that sticker in my drawer. Wouldn't you know it, today when I asked what sticker one of the kids wanted to work for, he chose the produce sticker off his banana. *sigh*Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-1966188912299900762012-01-16T20:08:00.003-05:002012-01-16T21:02:35.180-05:00Extreme Couponing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfTKCUIf_RNRH_CHCN-arvUfvENZzGYbj2FKajnsPVTo-ByQZHbd_zmEbh2X0W0Wgo6kGpVZ-yB30swqtyRSZDY1Wn3Ec-AFcpSrG59OMAaZD4hSn1xCaDeYHOe7n89Wof9DFya8Ub-IQ/s1600/couponing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfTKCUIf_RNRH_CHCN-arvUfvENZzGYbj2FKajnsPVTo-ByQZHbd_zmEbh2X0W0Wgo6kGpVZ-yB30swqtyRSZDY1Wn3Ec-AFcpSrG59OMAaZD4hSn1xCaDeYHOe7n89Wof9DFya8Ub-IQ/s320/couponing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698401720954195378" /></a>The coupon fever has hit! There's a show on TLC called "Extreme Couponing" that follows women who go to the extreme to save money at the grocery store. I mean these women are really crazy - it's literally a full-time job strategizing what products to get at what stores and which manufacturers are offering specials, etc. They have binders filled with coupons, maps of stores with aisles coded to match the coupons, and every inch of their basements stockpiled with items. Quite frankly, I'm skeptical of that show because Sam and I have done the math along with the show to see how much is being saved and we never come up with anything close to what they say is saved.<div><br /></div><div>Anyways, I did my own version of extreme couponing tonight and I must say, even though I only saved $37.00, I was so excited that I had Sam take a picture of me in the check-out line and I squealed in delight when the cashier handed me the receipt. Wow. I should tattoo "DORK" on my forehead. $37.00 is a lot of money to save buy taking a few minutes to cut out pieces of paper, but the women on the show save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a single grocery trip...one of the shows I saw, a women bought something like $1,400 in groceries and after coupons, paid only $50. Sam asked how many of the products that I bought with coupons would I normally buy without, and really there wasn't anything that I bought that I wouldn't normally. I'm careful to only clip coupons of items I already purchase so that I don't fall into the trap of buying things I don't like or won't use just because I have a coupon. And, furthermore, there were several items that I had a coupon for that I ended up not getting because a different brand was still less expensive without the coupon. So, I may not be an extreme couponer, but I'm a responsible one :)</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-53995274794545983212012-01-10T22:23:00.002-05:002012-01-10T22:47:56.416-05:00New Year; New GoalsHappy New Year to everyone! 10 days into 2012 and I'm just now getting around to writing this post. I wanted to write it sooner but school started up again and wedding mode is kicked into high gear. It dawned on me that all those little wedding details I had been putting off until after the new year now have to be faced. We have the major things down - ceremony church, reception venue, my dress and bridesmaids, tuxedos, cake tasting, and photography - but there is much to do still! Mom and I went flower shopping on Monday and I purchased my headpiece for my veil, but I still have shoes to find, which is always easier said than done when it comes to my giant feet! Lol! Slowly but surely it will all get done. <div><br /></div><div>Anyways, it's a new year which means it's time to setting some new goals! Here are my 2012 goals:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Be calm as the wedding approaches and remember it is only one day and a marriage is a lifetime. My goal is not to stress about the little things because let's be honest, no one is going to remember every detail of our wedding 30 years from now. I am preparing to spend the rest of my life with my best friend, not just one day.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Enjoy this year of weddings supporting all my friends who are also planning the rest of their lives! I'm a bridesmaid in one destination wedding this year, and will be attending the wedding of two other friends, as well as helping another friend plan her wedding for 2013, so I really want to be a good support person for these wonderful women in my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. Spend more time in prayer thanking God for everything He has blessed me with - a fiance soon to be husband, family, friends, a good job that I enjoy, a delightful new home, good health, etc. My goal is to pray the rosary every week and spend that time in reflection and thanksgiving. </div><div><br /></div><div>And.....although I can't label this as an official goal because I'm still undecided about it myself....I might like to get a pet this year. Sam likes dogs and cats (and lizards, sugar gliders, parrots, tigers, etc. but I'm not entertaining those likes!) and I like cats, so I always thought I wanted a cat. BUT, I'm now thinking about maybe a dog. Not a little yapper and not a huge dog that would eat me, but something medium size that doesn't smell and shed a bunch. Sam's mom just got a new dog and I have to admit I really had fun playing with him in the yard. It got me thinking that a dog might be fun, but I have to give it some more thought. So, getting a pet is not a goal per se for 2012 but it may happen.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy New Year and thanks for reading my blog this past year. I'll continue with it as best I can :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-59364595924237677782012-01-02T22:56:00.003-05:002012-01-02T23:13:57.924-05:00Candlelight dinner<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sYvhAnFimQgR5TtCYgq1Y60fdI33qhK0AWhzBzp1EqMwmmsFsY1Gq1OmxplAMva0DiysGzcjhTKcDtbXb5pwKUaeTO0qgFxvC55BaE1dE7gYkfTRX3lQfa7ljL7LDgSETplFhH_0yO_y/s1600/IMG_1709.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVTxUSUNc-PPLsQUbXEYZdUCTxlMntJO39XbYeKaY57kugOzoBMGlZa-Pnt01GZnhCnh9IMOpyD5wxXLH73crxwkQq3AMQu1xw-E7ifBuil9HJbHeeo92TcWF8E-PH4I0J8oab1vgEByu/s1600/IMG_1716.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVTxUSUNc-PPLsQUbXEYZdUCTxlMntJO39XbYeKaY57kugOzoBMGlZa-Pnt01GZnhCnh9IMOpyD5wxXLH73crxwkQq3AMQu1xw-E7ifBuil9HJbHeeo92TcWF8E-PH4I0J8oab1vgEByu/s320/IMG_1716.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693250419883424786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBikEXTSMpiAgfq7ZoM12XdSHcfLslewR6ykBebHjyiFuPZhCX8ZjpkCFfGNbx6PLE4GhaML5D1rHW-cdpp_UU3TG6pFOA1jtLPPva_ap7yBDMHxqfZ2mA6IgXiKPn4pMuSMs0osAa5HUD/s1600/IMG_1701.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBikEXTSMpiAgfq7ZoM12XdSHcfLslewR6ykBebHjyiFuPZhCX8ZjpkCFfGNbx6PLE4GhaML5D1rHW-cdpp_UU3TG6pFOA1jtLPPva_ap7yBDMHxqfZ2mA6IgXiKPn4pMuSMs0osAa5HUD/s320/IMG_1701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693250411047446050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPRUsbLNOZvTXf8H3hwRcQ4PqkrtzccwgzfM_uwAL-v-RlL7YSPhlIqbm_JmnznxFr7bABCzg0f1XaL0AUAMVKO4Lmx0gp1pCBBjhyphenhyphen3mL1sGljBNCnQDQl7kaLllB8ajR3g0BeTFzdy0m/s1600/IMG_1700.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPRUsbLNOZvTXf8H3hwRcQ4PqkrtzccwgzfM_uwAL-v-RlL7YSPhlIqbm_JmnznxFr7bABCzg0f1XaL0AUAMVKO4Lmx0gp1pCBBjhyphenhyphen3mL1sGljBNCnQDQl7kaLllB8ajR3g0BeTFzdy0m/s320/IMG_1700.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693250404851228050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2ytwS5O6ZxvEIZXdBqVwagPby5mxAlTUVUhj2shDJjoJIKR1k_ahYGu6Q1gaToGI7-K430q8YSJer968Gjp0RzeItbrCd3QsV7F7Tx2jw4MKOjbG8wN2o9qY0mMRgk3Ak0jOCWUNyacx/s1600/IMG_1704.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2ytwS5O6ZxvEIZXdBqVwagPby5mxAlTUVUhj2shDJjoJIKR1k_ahYGu6Q1gaToGI7-K430q8YSJer968Gjp0RzeItbrCd3QsV7F7Tx2jw4MKOjbG8wN2o9qY0mMRgk3Ak0jOCWUNyacx/s320/IMG_1704.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693250404130274322" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv3MF_0ag59dCMhKqLgwEFmykFtTZk-3WSoXDe8V-llAHDBF-axVt1NrwbcqQY-r9pcFZxu5oRildLe6yz6nUrS3tbFqzYSb66rwL3RNFzlvAZqvT69a4GZUAYtihSRReh9w8rpEMuHi2/s1600/IMG_1708.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv3MF_0ag59dCMhKqLgwEFmykFtTZk-3WSoXDe8V-llAHDBF-axVt1NrwbcqQY-r9pcFZxu5oRildLe6yz6nUrS3tbFqzYSb66rwL3RNFzlvAZqvT69a4GZUAYtihSRReh9w8rpEMuHi2/s320/IMG_1708.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693250401999367346" /></a><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sYvhAnFimQgR5TtCYgq1Y60fdI33qhK0AWhzBzp1EqMwmmsFsY1Gq1OmxplAMva0DiysGzcjhTKcDtbXb5pwKUaeTO0qgFxvC55BaE1dE7gYkfTRX3lQfa7ljL7LDgSETplFhH_0yO_y/s320/IMG_1709.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693253690553666098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div>Christmas is my favorite time of year for many reasons, but one of the predominant reasons is because it's the one time of year where women can wear fancy party dresses and eat as much desserts as they want without the nagging little voice in their head saying, "drop the cookie and look at your fat thighs in the mirror." Desserts are a widely accepted and embraced part of Christmas and instead of looking at a creme brulee thinking, "wow, that's a whole bowl of fat and calories," I can look at it and think, "what a beautiful raspberry and mint leaf adorning the top." <div><br /></div><div>Sam and I had a beautiful and delicious evening at the Franklin Park Conservatory, dining on fabulous dinner and dessert fares while surrounded by lush, tropical plants in the Palm House, romantically lit by candles on the tables and faint Chinese lanterns hung from the ceiling. I knew it was going to be spectacular when I first saw the dramatic tree branches and Christmas lights adorning the walkway to the Palm House. We ate dinner, listened to a live concert going on in the main lobby, and walked around admiring the numerous gingerbread creations on display. Fabulous evening with my fiance :)</div></div></div></div></div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-59874438963908942832011-12-31T16:28:00.002-05:002011-12-31T16:44:22.784-05:00A girl, a sewing machine, and a dream<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Ok8zRW4sXnVW5LwIqTf_SeFdxgWTmBvEnasF1sKswWMF2mPYEB7kI-71wQC9YBTqYWVEy5zm9RtycceoKzJrELnJEoI_5MrAZuKW68P7aC-7v5SBwRAu1iKRHvUpXMVVQQhY8zwTRZf/s1600/IMG_1717.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Ok8zRW4sXnVW5LwIqTf_SeFdxgWTmBvEnasF1sKswWMF2mPYEB7kI-71wQC9YBTqYWVEy5zm9RtycceoKzJrELnJEoI_5MrAZuKW68P7aC-7v5SBwRAu1iKRHvUpXMVVQQhY8zwTRZf/s320/IMG_1717.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692409409217950194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIP7oc7lQEx0gsPB8Y2t_SedBXyDF6m9bgTcZK-0F49cx2cMUuWuK2ZfqKcg72tVFeqXUZbngMPlJHewvqZSnpUqPiXI4x2kfbPQM5WX-84pbnLujUgGwEo2S7efm_Ubjq0w9IX4oXhch/s1600/IMG_1719.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIP7oc7lQEx0gsPB8Y2t_SedBXyDF6m9bgTcZK-0F49cx2cMUuWuK2ZfqKcg72tVFeqXUZbngMPlJHewvqZSnpUqPiXI4x2kfbPQM5WX-84pbnLujUgGwEo2S7efm_Ubjq0w9IX4oXhch/s320/IMG_1719.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692409410253645394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The curtain rod is bending in the middle making the curtains look uneven, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but really they are straight...I used a measuring tape :)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJrRMecMEXN0j0fWvqdJOMWOhAKA6pnEQ9c5slyjcMA3JlFSwgdQ0H6tD8kBY-XVf2ggBCjUk3JPQe48FfDxVqS8Abjwri47P255U6qMwafEDKhmHvtp6FeagaujvT6ZvXWSwNcpT1eKi/s1600/IMG_1720.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJrRMecMEXN0j0fWvqdJOMWOhAKA6pnEQ9c5slyjcMA3JlFSwgdQ0H6tD8kBY-XVf2ggBCjUk3JPQe48FfDxVqS8Abjwri47P255U6qMwafEDKhmHvtp6FeagaujvT6ZvXWSwNcpT1eKi/s320/IMG_1720.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692409402780510258" /></a>Santa brought me a new toy this year! My very first sewing machine to go in my craft room on my enormously-wonderful craft table :) While at first glance the machine looks complicated, it is actually so much easier to use than the old machines that you have to turn knobs ~ this one has a picture display of all 96 stitches, so all you do is punch in the number of the stitch you want to use and the machine automatically sets the tension, width, and length. I can always adjust them if I want, but for a beginner like me, it is so helpful not to have to worry about all that. I can simply step on the presser foot and away I go creating masterpieces! My first endeavor was a simple curtain for my craft room. It took me about 2-3 hours but there are a lot of things I learned I could simplify for next time I make curtains, but I think they turned out great and I even lined them so it would look nice from the street view. Mom will be so proud! <div>Next up on my list of projects....quilting!</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-5438467145012075842011-12-20T10:28:00.002-05:002011-12-20T11:03:14.514-05:00Where to begin...I opened this post so many times to write and then was stumped with what to put. The last time I posted was the day we closed on our house, so I guess I'll start there and give you an update as to life since that day.<br /><br />Well, after we got the keys, Sam moved in a week later and is now living in our beautiful house while I waste away in my tiny apartment! Ha! May 5th will come soon, I know :) We decorated a little for Christmas but decided to wait for all the after-Christmas sales to buy lights and decor and stuff like that so we can really decorate next year for our first Christmas being married. I have always decorated a small tree for my bedroom - about 5 ft. tall - which looks huge in an apartment but now that it's in our family room, we took one look at it and laughed and decided next year we definitely need a bigger tree! Sam and I both had real trees growing up (my family went to artificial the past 15 years or so after my brothers became allergic to real ones) so I always thought when I had a house I would have a real tree, but actually Sam and I decided we like artificial better ~ we can put it up right after Thanksgiving, not worry about watering it and needles dropping, and the branches are stronger for holding ornaments.<br /><br />I'm excited over Christmas break to do some painting in our house. The colors are already very neutral and lovely, but I want to do something to make it our own, so I think we are going to paint the upstairs hall bathroom and Sam's office. The office has beautiful French doors and a bay window, so a little color in there will make those features really pop. We patched nail holes in most of the rooms so we also need to do some touch up painting. Thankfully the previous owners left all the paint cans in the basement so we can match colors!<br /><br />In other news, Sam got his wisdom teeth out a couple weeks ago and did great! I on the other hand passed out in the recovery room. Some support person I was! The nurse had to call my mom to come pick both of us up. Ha! I'm praying for no more surgeries for Sam in the future, otherwise I guess he will need someone other than his wife to accompany him :) I did great with the after care portion - fixing him soft foods to eat and giving him pain medication and ice on schedule, but perhaps the sight of bloody gauze hanging from his mouth after surgery was a bit much for me.<br /><br />The kids at school have been sooooooo excited for Christmas. They were all convinced that as soon as we turned our classroom calendar to December it was Christmas. They didn't understand that even though Christmas is in December, you still have to wait 25 days for it. Halloween, Thanksgiving ~ no problem grasping that concept of a holiday being in the middle of the month, but Christmas was another story. When Santa didn't come December 1st, I think they knew I was telling the truth about waiting 25 days! Since I don't teach at a public school or parochial school (we are private) we are not suppose to talk at all about Christmas - no mention of religious aspects or secular ones ~ but my kids are so little that of course they want to talk about Santa. We had a "winter party" at school and I had the darndest time finding a song for them to sing that they already knew but didn't mention anything about Christmas! We finally settled on Jingle Bells and they did a great job singing. Since today is the last day of school before break, I decided to buck the system and read them the Little Drummer Boy story, which talks about a baby king being born in a manger but doesn't actually say the word Jesus :)<br /><br />And that is what's been happening the past few weeks! Merry Christmas to everyone and remember to leave "Christ" in "Christmas!"Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748782353697489984.post-81386899885296435162011-11-29T22:23:00.004-05:002011-11-29T23:00:26.816-05:00SOLD!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw7GbJvn_E4qz7MUNY4BGhGZHFKaMM48jf0hORFmCuQ9SlnoYNEEoBBxikroUXACJmcrGtTWp8_8Uj7cl51i44RiDCAPt1DngmTY2cRADcb_KiTK2o5BBzlMge-daSQl25Q8rTdoyl51l/s1600/blurry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw7GbJvn_E4qz7MUNY4BGhGZHFKaMM48jf0hORFmCuQ9SlnoYNEEoBBxikroUXACJmcrGtTWp8_8Uj7cl51i44RiDCAPt1DngmTY2cRADcb_KiTK2o5BBzlMge-daSQl25Q8rTdoyl51l/s320/blurry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680628947187773074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3BF1jL_svqH9AxzpvaGV6hqMKdjL3zXGdWsq_YlOOHnIvw-026pc5kCSRFYL84yaYks-jtbx8ixfRYNc1DO2Ql6NSNQ0caBYkKXuGS8COfpvhHOa_uWN1AtRdi0VSv47jNoj7iiPEeUn/s1600/IMG_1666.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3BF1jL_svqH9AxzpvaGV6hqMKdjL3zXGdWsq_YlOOHnIvw-026pc5kCSRFYL84yaYks-jtbx8ixfRYNc1DO2Ql6NSNQ0caBYkKXuGS8COfpvhHOa_uWN1AtRdi0VSv47jNoj7iiPEeUn/s320/IMG_1666.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680624751342072098" /></a>We are homeowners!! Unbelievable! Sam and I closed on our gorgeous house yesterday at 4pm, and promptly celebrated with a pizza party in our new kitchen :) It's so surreal to go from growing up in my parents' beautiful homes, then living in a college dorm/apartment, then my first solo apartment, then back to my parents' home, then to a basement with bugs in DC, then to an apartment with bars on the window, then to a nice but small apartment back here, and now to a big, beautiful home where I can unpack for a very long time. God has blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined.Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224428246398786715noreply@blogger.com0