tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10610688815947891972024-03-13T16:15:31.677-04:00A Crafty Southern ChickLP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-61683747518744632692012-10-12T23:25:00.000-04:002012-10-12T23:25:17.218-04:00InfluensterHave y'all heard about <a href="http://www.influenster.com/about" target="_blank">Influenster</a>? Are you a member?<br />
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I was invited by a friend, and so far, it is pretty addicting. I'll admit, I had never heard of it. And I know--one more social media outlet, right? Not really.<br />
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Influenster is part-community, part-reviews, part-game. You review products you love (or hate) to raise your 'score', and earn badges. You can interact with other trendsetters and find out how your favorite products stack up.<br />
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If you're like me, and a product-junkie (makeup! shoes! clothes! baby stuff!), this is the place for you.<br />
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It can be a little confusing and overwhelming at first glance. There is just so. much. stuff. To read, do, figure out. But once you start in on earning badges, the fun really begins!<br />
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Even better...participating can earn you discounts and previews on products, even a free box of goodies to try for yourself!<br />
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Go ahead and check it out. You can find me there, as mullinnix_girl. <a href="http://www.influenster.com/" target="_blank">Click here to join</a>, and have fun!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">{I am not being compensated in any way for this post. All opinions are 100% mine.}</span></i>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-66054879885303079222012-09-28T23:50:00.002-04:002012-09-28T23:50:52.954-04:00Halloween Wreath<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey, y'all!</div>
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Any of y'all still hanging 'round here? I realize I'm MIA. My apologies. Life. What else can I say?</div>
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So, my wreath obsession continues. You know, like<a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/09/monogram-wreaths.html" target="_blank"> this</a> or<a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/09/baby-girl-wreath.html" target="_blank"> this</a>? Mmmhmmm. A friend saw a lovely Halloween wreath on <a href="http://pinterest.com/shenanagains/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and said, hey friend, I'll pay good money for you to make me this. So I said, well, gee, okay. You talked me into it.</div>
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I really, really love tulle wreaths. Like...a lot.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbRTOkhfff8/UGZtsByYOHI/AAAAAAAAEEo/l9LWk7UIy-k/s1600/IMG_3748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbRTOkhfff8/UGZtsByYOHI/AAAAAAAAEEo/l9LWk7UIy-k/s400/IMG_3748.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I do not like the time it takes to put nearly 3 rolls of tulle on said wreath. The black flowers (as well as the spider) came from Dollar Tree! What a steal!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HhInyOeva20/UGZtxk4t2nI/AAAAAAAAEEw/s_OmLDheTsE/s1600/IMG_3749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HhInyOeva20/UGZtxk4t2nI/AAAAAAAAEEw/s_OmLDheTsE/s400/IMG_3749.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I added the purple centers. Then the spider got glitter-fied because I needed him to really pop.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FTR90-qTKBw/UGZt241aazI/AAAAAAAAEE4/sG9ybcnQfgk/s1600/IMG_3750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FTR90-qTKBw/UGZt241aazI/AAAAAAAAEE4/sG9ybcnQfgk/s400/IMG_3750.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Friend loves it; I'm kinda loving it too. Maybe time to make another?</div>
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LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-21999215350287314382012-08-09T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-09T06:00:06.243-04:00Texts With Jenn 8.9.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jenn and I have always been a bit...anti-social. And nerdy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Think <a href="http://www.mtv.com/shows/daria/series.jhtml" target="_blank">Daria</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We had plans to go to a (guy) friend's birthday party, that neither of us was looking forward to.</span></div>
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<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-71217324726839989022012-08-06T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-06T06:00:07.039-04:00Texts With Jenn 8.6.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jenn hates kids.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, that sounds a bit harsh...and to be fair, she does love MY kid.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But mostly, strangers' kids totally freak her out and give her hives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She was getting rid of some shoes, taking them by for a friend to look at....while said friend was at her own kid's birthday party.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A skating party. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Teehee.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRorvumAKvQ/T_Z21Z4HVOI/AAAAAAAAD-M/mRcbQZnVL5o/s1600/jenn+hates+kids.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRorvumAKvQ/T_Z21Z4HVOI/AAAAAAAAD-M/mRcbQZnVL5o/s400/jenn+hates+kids.PNG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-58725839193153478072012-08-03T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-03T06:00:08.126-04:00Texts With Jenn 8.3.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Jenn kinda has a thing for gnomes.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>So when I spotted this dude while trolling Hobby Lobby, I had to show her.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhRdgFygPXY/T_Z2Gx0f--I/AAAAAAAAD-E/LfaQgMvwAdo/s1600/elf-is.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhRdgFygPXY/T_Z2Gx0f--I/AAAAAAAAD-E/LfaQgMvwAdo/s400/elf-is.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-23550803362497390982012-08-01T15:22:00.000-04:002012-08-01T15:22:29.513-04:00Homemade Finger Painting with Baby C<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey, y'all!</div>
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So if you've hung around here much, you may remember that I once <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/search?q=art+show" target="_blank">taught preschool</a> (loved that job!). The private school where I worked had a heavy emphasis on arts and crafts, which was one of my favorite parts of the job (duh!).</div>
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I've been so super excited for my son to reach an age where he can really 'do' some arts and crafts. Back in late June, I decided to pick an activity at random and see how he liked it. I used <a href="http://invitationtothebutterflyball.blogspot.com/2010/05/home-made-finger-paint-with-recipe.html" target="_blank">this recipe from Invitation to the Butterfly Ball</a> and created some homemade (kid-safe!) finger paint.</div>
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I was so hoping he would dive in and make a lovely, huge, fingerpainted mess...but if you remember the <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2012/06/colstons-oh-places-youll-go-1st_27.html" target="_blank">fiasco with his birthday cake</a>, you know better.</div>
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Cautiously exploring.</div>
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Check that out. ONE fingertip in the paint.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwQjX9CilDw/UBl-gmLmbsI/AAAAAAAAEDs/YKmNaB9U9SI/s1600/IMG_2479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwQjX9CilDw/UBl-gmLmbsI/AAAAAAAAEDs/YKmNaB9U9SI/s400/IMG_2479.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I decided to lay his whole hand into one of the containers and he looked at me like, what the heck lady?!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYLK236uDmM/UBl-nakawBI/AAAAAAAAED0/3ZDf8HW5HCQ/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYLK236uDmM/UBl-nakawBI/AAAAAAAAED0/3ZDf8HW5HCQ/s400/IMG_2494.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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He did eventually get into it a little more, but he was very particular about dotting a single fingertip at a time. I "helped" him a little, moving his hands around and showing him it was okay to be messy, haha!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYPYWsL-XWY/UBl-tq1JiJI/AAAAAAAAED8/Cwx8o3_yVFA/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYPYWsL-XWY/UBl-tq1JiJI/AAAAAAAAED8/Cwx8o3_yVFA/s400/IMG_2498.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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He needed a bath after, because it was a bit sticky. I'm not sure if we'll try this one again. The paint has to be stored in the fridge, and I think the texture plus the cold sort of made him more apprehensive. Also, I had to had a great deal more water than in the recipe to get them liquid enough to paint with. </div>
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I have an <a href="http://pinterest.com/shenanagains/art-with-baby-c/" target="_blank">entire Pinterest board</a> devoted to arts & crafts for kids, what about y'all? I would love more ideas!</div>
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<br /></div>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-26125010206339199222012-07-30T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-30T06:00:07.907-04:00Texts With Jenn 7.30.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First, auto-correct got me (for a change).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then, I hit 'send' too soon, and before the picture.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ikPWKuPo6hg/T_Z1iMhRJgI/AAAAAAAAD98/TWWxR58oRcU/s1600/blueberry+cornbread.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ikPWKuPo6hg/T_Z1iMhRJgI/AAAAAAAAD98/TWWxR58oRcU/s400/blueberry+cornbread.png.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-65221811863849485192012-07-26T15:30:00.000-04:002012-07-26T15:30:47.881-04:00Random Photo: Rumble-y Skies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey, y'all!</div>
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Happy Thursday!</div>
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Here in the the Upstate we've been having a lot of rumble-y afternoons.</div>
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Not always much rain, but a LOT of ominous skies and thunder.</div>
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I snapped this quick picture on my phone as we were leaving town one day.</div>
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I love it for several reasons.</div>
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First of all, how gorgeous does the sky look?</div>
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Second, the building you see has been standing for a long time.</div>
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When my mother was small, sometime in the 50's, it was the post office.</div>
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Later, it became a grocery store.</div>
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And then, much much later, a church, where I witnessed one of my best friends (hi, Mila!) get married.</div>
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Pretty cool, huh?</div>
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Y'all have a wonderful day!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>{P.S. <a href="http://askannamoseley.com/the-blog/" target="_blank">Ask Anna </a>readers are eligible to receive a 20% off discount to my shop, through the end of August. [ASKANNA20] Stop by and say hi to Anna!}</i></span></div>
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<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-4096334662538556982012-07-26T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-26T06:00:03.538-04:00Texts With Jenn 7.26.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Brilliant.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0brVMtW_G4/T_Z1GXVqBrI/AAAAAAAAD90/q4bpILk08Rw/s1600/popsicle+coffee.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0brVMtW_G4/T_Z1GXVqBrI/AAAAAAAAD90/q4bpILk08Rw/s400/popsicle+coffee.png.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-81749880096847074272012-07-23T15:41:00.002-04:002012-07-23T15:41:51.469-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Guess what, y'all?!</div>
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I'M BACK!</div>
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Well, not me, but my shop--<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShenanAgains" target="_blank">ShenanAgains!</a> </div>
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You can find all sorts of new goodies, like...</div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShenanAgains?section_id=11893014" target="_blank">Upcycled Spoon Handle Ceiling Fan Pulls</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHWMHUyVJc8/UA2k0pWNXAI/AAAAAAAAECc/7APzuYfnvQY/s1600/FP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHWMHUyVJc8/UA2k0pWNXAI/AAAAAAAAECc/7APzuYfnvQY/s400/FP1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lots of new spoon/fork handle <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShenanAgains?section_id=11879828" target="_blank">key rings</a>!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KenOdrrQdPI/UA2k6V-HA4I/AAAAAAAAECk/B2fGDValqbU/s1600/kr11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KenOdrrQdPI/UA2k6V-HA4I/AAAAAAAAECk/B2fGDValqbU/s400/kr11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShenanAgains?section_id=11879824" target="_blank">Vintage enamelware</a>!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHojY2YNOBw/UA2k_gpRiEI/AAAAAAAAECs/tMk1tjtNEMA/s1600/rw10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHojY2YNOBw/UA2k_gpRiEI/AAAAAAAAECs/tMk1tjtNEMA/s400/rw10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/104912085/vintage-wooden-spools" target="_blank">Vintage spools</a> from local mills!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-up5dCyXFIb4/UA2lN5X5SrI/AAAAAAAAEC8/YfeYUnOUZc0/s1600/sp4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-up5dCyXFIb4/UA2lN5X5SrI/AAAAAAAAEC8/YfeYUnOUZc0/s400/sp4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-10802929029186229242012-07-22T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-22T06:00:05.540-04:00Texts With Jenn 7.22.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The epitome of her auto-correct fails.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">(for the record, I was being dumb, asking about "pictures"...and yes, calling her a hooker {lovingly, naturally})</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDQ_O_V7Z1g/T_Z0P13pvQI/AAAAAAAAD9s/gVfKlURgPO0/s1600/she+hates+her+phone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDQ_O_V7Z1g/T_Z0P13pvQI/AAAAAAAAD9s/gVfKlURgPO0/s400/she+hates+her+phone.png" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-22762135295663340482012-07-19T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-19T06:00:12.136-04:00Texts With Jenn 7.19.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear auto-correct,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for the laughs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Me</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OoB0gZapRI/T_ZzoFNK3bI/AAAAAAAAD9k/fdfV5bet0b8/s1600/says+slays.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OoB0gZapRI/T_ZzoFNK3bI/AAAAAAAAD9k/fdfV5bet0b8/s400/says+slays.png.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-47136370210031364822012-07-16T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-16T06:00:03.112-04:00Texts With Jenn 7.16.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Auto-correct strikes again.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNHdi_vzI3o/T_Zy_iIiPbI/AAAAAAAAD9c/EPzVJ3t7Hh0/s1600/WTF.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNHdi_vzI3o/T_Zy_iIiPbI/AAAAAAAAD9c/EPzVJ3t7Hh0/s400/WTF.png" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-30877358123951519152012-07-14T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-14T06:00:05.376-04:00Texts With Jenn 7.14.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is only the beginning of her auto-correct torment.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her phone is out to get her.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5lTDNdonUr0/T_ZyfMNoYHI/AAAAAAAAD9U/IeDQ87nO3ng/s1600/no+kissing+nail+polish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5lTDNdonUr0/T_ZyfMNoYHI/AAAAAAAAD9U/IeDQ87nO3ng/s400/no+kissing+nail+polish.png" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-27876497236494536722012-07-13T00:01:00.000-04:002012-07-13T22:31:37.279-04:00Happy 30th to Me! A Celebration of My First 29 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In celebration of turning the big 3-0, I'm taking a look at some fun things from my first 29 years.</div>
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I'm sure there's tons of stuff I'm forgetting, as well as people, but I wanted to walk y'all down memory lane.</div>
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(in no particular order)</div>
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~Learned to play alto sax</div>
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~Marched in color guard</div>
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~Got my driver's license first try!</div>
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~Went to the Marine Corps Ball, twice</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LcVt3gt3ER8/T_-GcxdiGWI/AAAAAAAAD_4/_1zT7L6iDo0/s1600/19965_232520211434_3121020_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LcVt3gt3ER8/T_-GcxdiGWI/AAAAAAAAD_4/_1zT7L6iDo0/s400/19965_232520211434_3121020_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Went to prom</div>
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~Played powderpuff football...the week before I was in a pageant!</div>
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~Did a few beauty pageants</div>
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~Graduated college</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5g1c_lE7QpQ/T_-Gfbge4uI/AAAAAAAAEAo/uI-mUwTbrfc/s1600/26596_323927181434_7364324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5g1c_lE7QpQ/T_-Gfbge4uI/AAAAAAAAEAo/uI-mUwTbrfc/s400/26596_323927181434_7364324_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Was stung by a jellyfish as a child (not this one!)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3eE7P-hl8Ec/T_-GhWfKp6I/AAAAAAAAEBA/FCNIZwulOiw/s1600/30621_401296091434_5661584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3eE7P-hl8Ec/T_-GhWfKp6I/AAAAAAAAEBA/FCNIZwulOiw/s400/30621_401296091434_5661584_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Spent a year teaching K3 & K3 summer camp (most favorite job ever!)</div>
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~Worked in banking for 5 years</div>
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~First job was making pizzas & fast food in the "Little Caesar's/K-Cafe"</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JzZcPxPDjYo/T_-GGYv4J9I/AAAAAAAAD-g/EnLxP-TPkrA/s1600/My+29+years+blog+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JzZcPxPDjYo/T_-GGYv4J9I/AAAAAAAAD-g/EnLxP-TPkrA/s400/My+29+years+blog+post.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Developed a love for football</div>
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~Did some tailgating</div>
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~Went to lots of <a href="http://www.clemson.edu/" target="_blank">Clemson</a> games (Go Tigers!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqyqLpFi3Qo/T_-GaAaKDMI/AAAAAAAAD_I/bn5pQjtVNOc/s1600/12140_183751141434_3329346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqyqLpFi3Qo/T_-GaAaKDMI/AAAAAAAAD_I/bn5pQjtVNOc/s400/12140_183751141434_3329346_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Attended <a href="http://www.daboswinneyfootballcamp.com/Default.asp?ID=177" target="_blank">Dabo's Ladies Football Camp</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lePJj8fuOE/T_-GaVm5ldI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/muYVSd3WBbs/s1600/150501_469700416434_5919185_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lePJj8fuOE/T_-GaVm5ldI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/muYVSd3WBbs/s400/150501_469700416434_5919185_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Went to a Clemson bowl game in Tampa</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXHNQT_Lczk/T_-GbIKlkYI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/5g1M61bAZvc/s1600/155567_477770806434_3743414_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXHNQT_Lczk/T_-GbIKlkYI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/5g1M61bAZvc/s400/155567_477770806434_3743414_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Experienced the biggest snow in our area in decades</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJIhAlwFn08/T_-Gblu-D5I/AAAAAAAAD_g/VGNnuRDnpNw/s1600/162973_492477641434_1778789_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJIhAlwFn08/T_-Gblu-D5I/AAAAAAAAD_g/VGNnuRDnpNw/s400/162973_492477641434_1778789_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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~Became engaged to my best friend</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noITYXMFyVA/T_-Gll2FJ-I/AAAAAAAAECI/rCLHNDOwlmE/s1600/5894_119908126434_7361838_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noITYXMFyVA/T_-Gll2FJ-I/AAAAAAAAECI/rCLHNDOwlmE/s400/5894_119908126434_7361838_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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~Developed a love affair with reading</div>
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~Developed an even bigger love affair with shoes</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmn_4tDhx9A/T_-GOWErq-I/AAAAAAAAD-w/Rlh7BgQ-ilE/s1600/My+29+years+blog+post2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmn_4tDhx9A/T_-GOWErq-I/AAAAAAAAD-w/Rlh7BgQ-ilE/s400/My+29+years+blog+post2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~<a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/05/story-of-us.html" target="_blank">Married my best friend</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSmdbMTK4co/T_-GeGTyPAI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/OxKc5YXPcBw/s1600/227378_11904796434_180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSmdbMTK4co/T_-GeGTyPAI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/OxKc5YXPcBw/s400/227378_11904796434_180_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Got pregnant!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkF3qMJEwSk/T_-GccQdAzI/AAAAAAAAD_w/BiZezGmL5Z8/s1600/199309_10150111853951435_8092989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkF3qMJEwSk/T_-GccQdAzI/AAAAAAAAD_w/BiZezGmL5Z8/s400/199309_10150111853951435_8092989_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Welcomed my <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/05/im-mom.html" target="_blank">sweet baby boy</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qWCfZPhTXQ/T_-GdwTGKsI/AAAAAAAAEAI/BYZZXjUrThc/s1600/225110_10150175179931435_3487344_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qWCfZPhTXQ/T_-GdwTGKsI/AAAAAAAAEAI/BYZZXjUrThc/s400/225110_10150175179931435_3487344_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Planned <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2012/06/colstons-oh-places-youll-go-1st_27.html" target="_blank">my son's first birthday</a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMT2xkeWieA/T_-GgGtHMNI/AAAAAAAAEAw/uQsvpSlh8xM/s1600/292522_10150877461806435_2114709811_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMT2xkeWieA/T_-GgGtHMNI/AAAAAAAAEAw/uQsvpSlh8xM/s400/292522_10150877461806435_2114709811_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Made lifelong friendships with great girls (I love you, Cas & Jenn!)</div>
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~Was able to be a part of Casie's baby showers, wedding, spent prom together, did pageants and powderpuff</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXeUemjaIg4/T_-GKfqJW9I/AAAAAAAAD-o/x9_uQTANm_E/s1600/My+29+years+blog+post1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXeUemjaIg4/T_-GKfqJW9I/AAAAAAAAD-o/x9_uQTANm_E/s400/My+29+years+blog+post1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Spent 2 weeks in Hawaii, beachin' it up, getting up close & personal with penguins, snorkeling and visiting Pearl Harbor</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4h24mkK9Yg/T_-GR0_5m8I/AAAAAAAAD-4/3innZISIZ9c/s1600/My+29+years+blog+post3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4h24mkK9Yg/T_-GR0_5m8I/AAAAAAAAD-4/3innZISIZ9c/s400/My+29+years+blog+post3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Was privileged to get 28 wonderful years with <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-memory-of-my-mama.html" target="_blank">my amazing grandmother, MaMa</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XzAhlQZlY4w/T_-GdfMo79I/AAAAAAAAEAA/d1jLZdty7YY/s1600/19965_232542131434_4460024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XzAhlQZlY4w/T_-GdfMo79I/AAAAAAAAEAA/d1jLZdty7YY/s400/19965_232542131434_4460024_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Grew up an only child & loved it, but...</div>
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~Got a "sister" the 'easy' way! (hi, Shannon!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp8DvOSKAEw/T_-GespuSuI/AAAAAAAAEAY/aMTh3-fWrIA/s1600/227718_11904781434_9186_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp8DvOSKAEw/T_-GespuSuI/AAAAAAAAEAY/aMTh3-fWrIA/s400/227718_11904781434_9186_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pqbd9ut_Yjk/T_-Ge8PHyHI/AAAAAAAAEAg/bmLQOa1Deak/s1600/230938_8052236434_8577_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pqbd9ut_Yjk/T_-Ge8PHyHI/AAAAAAAAEAg/bmLQOa1Deak/s400/230938_8052236434_8577_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~I think I have the cutest brother-in-law ever. Really. See?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfmH7kRnF3A/T_-Ggv7eVEI/AAAAAAAAEA4/6-uAy4e4m1g/s1600/29521_401943586434_6804941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfmH7kRnF3A/T_-Ggv7eVEI/AAAAAAAAEA4/6-uAy4e4m1g/s400/29521_401943586434_6804941_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Spent my 1st wedding anniversary in <a href="http://www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us/" target="_blank">St. Augustine</a>, and met a 'pirate'.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ROZTP8osJI/T_-GkeC4Q5I/AAAAAAAAEBw/eyT3IWNPVCc/s1600/431321_10150603178261435_1450484412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ROZTP8osJI/T_-GkeC4Q5I/AAAAAAAAEBw/eyT3IWNPVCc/s400/431321_10150603178261435_1450484412_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Spent tons of fun times with some great girls </div>
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{Y2K, anyone?}</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCXV_4rQAE4/T_-GlBGWuSI/AAAAAAAAECA/CjS3Nxl8n8A/s1600/4506_85407771434_6703038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCXV_4rQAE4/T_-GlBGWuSI/AAAAAAAAECA/CjS3Nxl8n8A/s400/4506_85407771434_6703038_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Bought our first home</div>
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~Planted a garden</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYp-qJ_oWKM/T_-GjPhM6wI/AAAAAAAAEBg/XuLEMLrTHIw/s1600/36895_410255931434_3781044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYp-qJ_oWKM/T_-GjPhM6wI/AAAAAAAAEBg/XuLEMLrTHIw/s400/36895_410255931434_3781044_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Had some seriously short hair</div>
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~Read the entire original set of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Drew" target="_blank">Nancy Drew</a> books during 1 summer in elementary school</div>
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~I voted!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1t4Age-46g/T_-GifDsS1I/AAAAAAAAEBY/XjB28yIM9PU/s1600/33622_455909471434_7030812_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1t4Age-46g/T_-GifDsS1I/AAAAAAAAEBY/XjB28yIM9PU/s400/33622_455909471434_7030812_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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~Meet <a href="http://www.edwin.com/" target="_blank">Edwin McCain</a> & <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._J._Spiller" target="_blank">CJ Spiller</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LaK7ZBv_174/T_-GiFOhqiI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/suRQowMC1KQ/s1600/3100_69357231434_7695168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LaK7ZBv_174/T_-GiFOhqiI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/suRQowMC1KQ/s400/3100_69357231434_7695168_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Honeymooned in <a href="http://www.visitusvi.com/" target="_blank">St. Thomas & St. John</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GXoNh1M6Ops/T_-GhtzrjcI/AAAAAAAAEBI/f7wUMfjLOxY/s1600/3100_69344386434_630414_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GXoNh1M6Ops/T_-GhtzrjcI/AAAAAAAAEBI/f7wUMfjLOxY/s400/3100_69344386434_630414_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Had a wreck (not my fault!)</div>
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~Had some seriously long hair</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgUHWMYPmYo/T_-Gb855PeI/AAAAAAAAD_o/2F-z3PxbxKA/s1600/167033_500204156434_3469338_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgUHWMYPmYo/T_-Gb855PeI/AAAAAAAAD_o/2F-z3PxbxKA/s400/167033_500204156434_3469338_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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~Planned baby showers, bridal showers, played the role of bridesmaid</div>
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~Saw 3 of my closest girlfriends get married & 2 of them have beautiful babies</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sf0LqnKUjyo/T_-GV3Q06eI/AAAAAAAAD_A/gkyptQHVeKQ/s1600/My+29+years+blog+post4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sf0LqnKUjyo/T_-GV3Q06eI/AAAAAAAAD_A/gkyptQHVeKQ/s400/My+29+years+blog+post4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Rode motorcycles</div>
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~Found an amazing friend named Lesly</div>
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~Blew out my knee</div>
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~Still haven't broken a bone or had a cavity</div>
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~Graduated high school</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KyVVISQJhes/T_-Gk8hlAwI/AAAAAAAAEB4/6Oizg6IuDQg/s1600/4506_85407701434_2257905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KyVVISQJhes/T_-Gk8hlAwI/AAAAAAAAEB4/6Oizg6IuDQg/s400/4506_85407701434_2257905_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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~Prayed a lot & weathered some storms</div>
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~Opened an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShenanAgains?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> & started this blog!</div>
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~Made it to the state level spelling bee in 6th grade</div>
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~Lots of wonderful memories with my <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/06/happy-anniversary.html" target="_blank">awesome parents</a>!</div>
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~Got lucky in the in-laws department :)</div>
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~Adopted <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/01/meet-my-furry-crew.html" target="_blank">quite a few animals </a>(and lost one...RIP, Bunny Bunny)</div>
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To James & Colston, my parents, in-laws, Cas, Jenn, Les, Mi, and all my bloggy buds too--thanks for a great 29 years!</div>
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Thanks for reminiscing with me y'all! </div>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-73874147736852788872012-07-10T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-10T06:00:03.665-04:00Texts With Jenn 7.10.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was digging through some vintage keys, and ran across one with a familiar (but as of yet, still unidentified) logo. So, I sent a picture of it to Jenn to get her take on the image.</div>
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Hilarity.</div>
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<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-32848786075171723862012-07-06T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-06T06:00:14.219-04:00Texts With Jenn 7.6.12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We live in the south.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is always hot, and always humid, and this summer we've seen record-breaking highs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I received this the day after her AC unit went out in her house.</span></div>
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<br /></div>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-1331065021475802152012-07-06T00:51:00.001-04:002012-07-06T00:51:43.403-04:00My First Blog 'Series'Hey y'all!<br />
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I am so excited to tell y'all about this. My BFF and I text...a lot. Not as much as some, I'm sure, but enough that since getting my first iPhone back in February, I've racked up a lot of messages with her!<br />
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Now, you may remember Jenn from the <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-post-kielbasa-kraut.html" target="_blank">guest post</a> she did while I was in the hospital having my son. Or perhaps from the random posts about projects for her, like<a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/03/quick-simple-fun-possibly-free-project.html" target="_blank"> this one</a>.<br />
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The point is, she's hilarious and like most BFFs, we think we're even funnier together (right?). So in order to have some regular posts happening in this place, even when I'm not so crafty, I'm introducing...<br />
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(pretend we have a drum roll here)<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Texts With Jenn! </b></span><br />
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Basically it's random screen shots of our texts that are good for a giggle. I can't promise the language will always be 100% PG either, so consider yourselves warned. The first post will be live in a few hours...so I hope you enjoy!LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-83109174269220244312012-07-02T15:48:00.000-04:002012-07-02T15:48:18.588-04:00Shop My Closet!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey, y'all!</div>
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I don't normally do this, but I've seen several other bloggers do it, and it seems to work :)</div>
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I have some awesome clothes I need to get rid of! My post-baby body is not going to fit in these anymore...all but 1 are new with tags.</div>
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Each item has a description and a price. If you are interested in one or more, please leave a comment or email me directly. I will invoice you via PayPal. </div>
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Thanks y'all!</div>
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Jessica McClintock for Gunne Sax</div>
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Cocktail Dress, Size 5</div>
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Purchased new from Dillards, $120</div>
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Worn 1 time for a wedding</div>
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(see below pics)</div>
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Price: $40, shipped</div>
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Cute Black Dress, New With Tags</div>
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From Dillards</div>
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Size XS</div>
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Body of dress is cotton jersey, double layered</div>
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Beaded top with adjustable halter</div>
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Shelf Bra</div>
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Price: $15, shipped</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyvGleHK1yI/T_H212KQrgI/AAAAAAAAD7s/xW5m_Ty5vPg/s1600/IMG_2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyvGleHK1yI/T_H212KQrgI/AAAAAAAAD7s/xW5m_Ty5vPg/s400/IMG_2325.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Nicole by Nicole Miller Dress</div>
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(well, actual price is gone but tag hanger & extra pieces are attached)</div>
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Size 4</div>
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Price: $15, shipped</div>
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Black Tank Dress</div>
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Empire Waist</div>
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Size Small</div>
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Price: $10, shipped</div>
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NY & CO. Bright Pink Pants</div>
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(ridiculously soft, by the way)</div>
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Size 2 Average</div>
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Price: $10, shipped</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSLWy5TVj1k/T_H3orqsHnI/AAAAAAAAD80/57w41ADCbqI/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSLWy5TVj1k/T_H3orqsHnI/AAAAAAAAD80/57w41ADCbqI/s400/IMG_2339.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-64584308405608313622012-06-27T19:00:00.000-04:002012-06-27T19:00:59.102-04:00Colston's 'Oh The Places You'll Go!' 1st Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey y'all!</div>
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As promised, here is a more detailed look at my son's first birthday. The theme was Dr. Seuss's "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" and it was so much fun to work around. It was held at our local <a href="http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.php" target="_blank">Lion's Club</a> meeting space. </div>
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Right as guests entered, I had a table set up. The first thing was a copy of "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" for the guests to sign. Next were copies of the cards I had made for Colston's time capsule project (post on that coming later) of his first year. Finally there were favors for all the kiddos.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZkvdisWwVY/T-t9fo95kiI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/9MYmRdjRsYQ/s1600/Colston%2527s+1st+Birthday+from+Yuli1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZkvdisWwVY/T-t9fo95kiI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/9MYmRdjRsYQ/s400/Colston%2527s+1st+Birthday+from+Yuli1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The cards (as well as the invitations) were made by a super talented high school friend, Jenna. She has an Etsy shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/OhCreativeOne" target="_blank">Oh Creative One</a>. Stop by and see her; I guarantee if you don't see it, she can make it! James and I wrote the little poem for the cards, which reads:</div>
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"Please leave a note for Colston James</div>
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We've got something planned past today's fun and games</div>
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Into a time capsule we'll slip them to hide</div>
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Til he's 10 and 8 years they'll be locked up inside</div>
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On his 18th birthday to him we will show</div>
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All these great wishes for the places he'll go"</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJarIU-iLAE/T-t-evPGNdI/AAAAAAAAD4w/BbJ0efN-51I/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJarIU-iLAE/T-t-evPGNdI/AAAAAAAAD4w/BbJ0efN-51I/s400/Colston+1+year+old+094.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The responses on the cards were amazing. I didn't have the opportunity to read them until the day after the party, and man oh man...I cried! A few were funny but most of them were inspirational and sweet. The ones from his great-grandmothers were especially tear-jerkers. Don't even let me go any further, tears are welling just thinking of it!</div>
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I knew we would have a wide age range of kiddos, and tried to come up with inexpensive activities that didn't require continual adult supervision. Our Lion's Club is situated behind a residential street, in a huge field. It was awesome because there was no danger of any traffic, and the kids could roam around safely.</div>
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I had kid-sized footballs (from Dollar Tree) and one of those huge flying discs (from the $2.50 bin at Target). My father-in-law made the cornhole boards (more on that <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2012/06/colstons-oh-places-youll-go-1st.html" target="_blank">here</a>), there was a water gun area, and then inside was a coloring station.</div>
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Before the party started my dad filled a huge plastic tub with water, and we filled up all the water guns too. That made things much easier on all the adults!</div>
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For the coloring station, I picked up 3 cheap coloring books at WalMart. I tore off the covers and pulled apart the pages. The crayons came from Dollar Tree, and so did the 3 little metal tubs I split them into.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fSplXs-V2A/T-t9ifsQNhI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/gEkRzpZFygE/s1600/Colston%2527s+1st+Birthday+from+Yuli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fSplXs-V2A/T-t9ifsQNhI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/gEkRzpZFygE/s400/Colston%2527s+1st+Birthday+from+Yuli.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Most of the info on the decorations can be found in my <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2012/06/colstons-oh-places-youll-go-1st.html" target="_blank">first post</a>, but here's a few shots of other things that weren't as labor intensive.</div>
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I picked up balloons the day of from our local 5 & Dime.</div>
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I hung huge paper poufs from the ceiling, which we purchased at a big box party store.</div>
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I also hung pictures of Colston, progressing through his first year, one each month. The guests seem to enjoy that, and it was cool to see how much he changed.</div>
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I simply printed 5x7's from WalMart and then ran them through my laminating machine.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dd0BrgDiZHs/T-t9-HweB-I/AAAAAAAAD4g/TaoLKVaLu-U/s1600/Colston%2527s+1st+Birthday+from+Yuli2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dd0BrgDiZHs/T-t9-HweB-I/AAAAAAAAD4g/TaoLKVaLu-U/s400/Colston%2527s+1st+Birthday+from+Yuli2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For food, I wanted the prep to be simple. I didn't want to be worrying with cooking or warming things the day of.</div>
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I had chips & dip; pasta salad, fresh fruit, cheese cubes, and my BFF graciously picked up some chicken nugget trays from Chik-fil-A the day of (thanks, Jenn!).</div>
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We have this fabulous, decades-old place here called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanners-Big-Orange/116936511657449" target="_blank">Tanner's Big Orange</a>. They have food but they're known for their 'party punch'.</div>
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It. Is. Divine.</div>
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I got several gallons of that, in purple (to make the ice cubes) and green (to drink!).</div>
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I'm thirsty just thinking about it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxz_Ck4nxZI/T-t9-krUsvI/AAAAAAAAD4o/pzlY0SKu2ho/s1600/Colston%2527s+1st+Birthday+from+Yuli3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxz_Ck4nxZI/T-t9-krUsvI/AAAAAAAAD4o/pzlY0SKu2ho/s400/Colston%2527s+1st+Birthday+from+Yuli3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We couldn't have asked for better weather. Colston's birthday is the end of April, and weather here is famously iffy that time of year. On this particular day, it was sunny, breezy, and mid-70's. This same time 5 years ago, when I was married, it was pouring rain and the high was 50. So I was worried, but it turned out beautifully.</div>
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The mondo pinwheels came from Hobby Lobby. They were a last-minute find, but I adored them. So did Colston and all the other kids.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_VHvNZhSkM/T-t_rHB-_bI/AAAAAAAAD5E/uKzgf_FuEbM/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_VHvNZhSkM/T-t_rHB-_bI/AAAAAAAAD5E/uKzgf_FuEbM/s400/Colston+1+year+old+048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dee0o0Oy4Q4/T-uAGf16_WI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/AO_acNK7Hj4/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dee0o0Oy4Q4/T-uAGf16_WI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/AO_acNK7Hj4/s400/Colston+1+year+old+056.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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A gorgeous butterfly hung around for a while.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzUJN5zOWeA/T-uAgLa3oGI/AAAAAAAAD5k/JgnBIiAIb1k/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzUJN5zOWeA/T-uAgLa3oGI/AAAAAAAAD5k/JgnBIiAIb1k/s400/Colston+1+year+old+090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, remember that water gun area I mentioned?</div>
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BAHAHAHA...</div>
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To say it was a hit would be a HUGE understatement.</div>
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Please observe...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sSve6XF5iQ/T-uBx1nKIOI/AAAAAAAAD6M/uxszAy7HDkU/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+169-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sSve6XF5iQ/T-uBx1nKIOI/AAAAAAAAD6M/uxszAy7HDkU/s400/Colston+1+year+old+169-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The kids went wild! They chased down any adults who dared come near...including <a href="http://yulismith.com/site/#/%7Bhome%7D/" target="_blank">our photographer</a>!</div>
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(luckily, she's a mom too, and was a good sport about it!)</div>
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At one point, James came inside and his back was soaked; he said it was an ambush!</div>
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Ha!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--S4ojIBhrK4/T-uB-CD0YQI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/Bm_wwIcwrOk/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--S4ojIBhrK4/T-uB-CD0YQI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/Bm_wwIcwrOk/s400/Colston+1+year+old+171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This picture cracks me up every time.</div>
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Those two girls are my BFFs. I have known them since we were barely walking and talking.</div>
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I mentioned on Facebook that this always makes me laugh; my "oh crap!" expression, Casie's smirk-y "uh-huh, see what you got yourself into by having kids" and Jenn's smug "uh-huh, and THAT is why I don't have any".</div>
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I was so darn excited about cake. I just *knew* Colston was going to LOVE it. I had all these images in my head of him smashing and squishing and icing flying. I even put a table cloth under his high chair in preparation for the mess.</div>
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The cake was just a small round cake from our local Publix. I told the nice bakery lady our theme and she did a great job.</div>
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But back to Colston and the cake. I knew it was going to be a hit. Every kid goes wild with their first cake, right?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfCtZ_LgV80/T-uCTf8G91I/AAAAAAAAD6g/n_tvwmKZfqU/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfCtZ_LgV80/T-uCTf8G91I/AAAAAAAAD6g/n_tvwmKZfqU/s400/Colston+1+year+old+175.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>WRONG.</b></div>
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He. Was. Pissed.</div>
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Now, in fairness it wasn't because of the cake. Everyone sang, and he looked a little concerned but at the end...they all clapped and cheered...and well, he lost it.</div>
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A lot.</div>
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Poor baby, he never did eat it. I do have a ton of pictures of him red-faced, teary and snotty though...oh well, what can you do, right?</div>
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It was a success in my book. Plus it will make for some funny memories as he gets older.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngy52GuMvDA/T-uDc8-aRvI/AAAAAAAAD7A/Ec14fGcjOCM/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngy52GuMvDA/T-uDc8-aRvI/AAAAAAAAD7A/Ec14fGcjOCM/s400/Colston+1+year+old+331.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I really couldn't have asked for a better day. I had friends and family that came early (and from as far as TN; thanks Justin!), stayed late, helped us with decorating, setting up, cleaning up, you name it.</div>
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But best of all, they helped us celebrate our little man's first year!</div>
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(oh, and us surviving it...there's always that!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTJGPOORH3U/T-uDd5QixoI/AAAAAAAAD7I/vOG6IZMJwgw/s1600/IMG_5156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTJGPOORH3U/T-uDd5QixoI/AAAAAAAAD7I/vOG6IZMJwgw/s400/IMG_5156.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">All photos are courtesy of <a href="http://yulismith.com/site/#/%7Bhome%7D/" target="_blank">Yuli Smith</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">For these party ideas & more, visit my Pinterest board <a href="http://pinterest.com/shenanagains/party-ideas-for-baby-c/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Heck, why not<a href="http://pinterest.com/shenanagains/" target="_blank"> follow me</a> while you're there? :)</span></i></span><br />
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<br /></div>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-34229585333014699502012-06-26T02:53:00.000-04:002012-07-02T16:42:54.791-04:00Colston's 'Oh The Places You'll Go' 1st Birthday--The DIY PartHey y'all!<br />
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Today I'm going to share some pictures from Colston's first birthday. I started sketching and pinning ideas for his party as early as January--his birthday is in April. I was so super excited! I kept trying to come up with some fun, clever theme and it hit me--I LOVE Seuss! The vibrant colors, the funky creatures and awesome trees. And, being his first birthday, "Oh The Places You'll Go" seemed so fitting.
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So the photos I'm sharing will include a link to the (p)inspiration (get it? hehe). I fully admit that these ideas were ALL inspired by things I found on Pinterest. I've linked back to the pins I drew my ideas from; some include tutorials, others were just photos. Enjoy!<br />
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High Chair Tray Ribbon</div>
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{<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/197665871114811477/" target="_blank">original pin</a>}</div>
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in progress...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdsZUSgepzM/T-lU6tnnfCI/AAAAAAAAD2A/A-MefZMwY-s/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdsZUSgepzM/T-lU6tnnfCI/AAAAAAAAD2A/A-MefZMwY-s/s400/IMG_1219.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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....and in action!</div>
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{photo below courtesy of <a href="http://www.yulismith.com/" target="_blank">Yuli Smith</a>}</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdrlUteE20s/T-lVQhU5xdI/AAAAAAAAD2I/5OcHrzAa6UE/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdrlUteE20s/T-lVQhU5xdI/AAAAAAAAD2I/5OcHrzAa6UE/s400/Colston+1+year+old+106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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#1 Photo Prop/Table Decor</div>
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{<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/197665871114811421/" target="_blank">original pin</a>}</div>
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in progress...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RKf05xYf94/T-lVXEsgWJI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/YzLxJaOwwdU/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RKf05xYf94/T-lVXEsgWJI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/YzLxJaOwwdU/s400/IMG_1235.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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...and in action!</div>
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{photo below courtesy of <a href="http://www.yulismith.com/" target="_blank">Yuli Smith</a>}</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXiE_Q0XnXQ/T-lVq_Q-64I/AAAAAAAAD2c/2GSwxNtmEO8/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXiE_Q0XnXQ/T-lVq_Q-64I/AAAAAAAAD2c/2GSwxNtmEO8/s400/Colston+1+year+old+043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Balloon Topiary/Tree</div>
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{<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/197665871114760833/" target="_blank">original pin</a>}</div>
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in progress...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toLDRD9JNPE/T-lVwWRQCmI/AAAAAAAAD2k/R7InmlqjTDQ/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toLDRD9JNPE/T-lVwWRQCmI/AAAAAAAAD2k/R7InmlqjTDQ/s400/IMG_1240.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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...and in action!</div>
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{photo below courtesy of <a href="http://www.yulismith.com/" target="_blank">Yuli Smith</a>}</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OmHUxNXXZIg/T-lWFLdXk4I/AAAAAAAAD2w/Xutqfi2E7I0/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OmHUxNXXZIg/T-lWFLdXk4I/AAAAAAAAD2w/Xutqfi2E7I0/s400/Colston+1+year+old+040.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Cake Pop Tree!</div>
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{no pin for this, my dad created it!}</div>
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in progress...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foace1Glxr0/T-lWHBsiObI/AAAAAAAAD20/MMdJ1PGh6ZA/s1600/IMG_1368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foace1Glxr0/T-lWHBsiObI/AAAAAAAAD20/MMdJ1PGh6ZA/s400/IMG_1368.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and in action!</div>
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{photo below courtesy of <a href="http://www.yulismith.com/" target="_blank">Yuli Smith</a>}</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqIbFfTsk8g/T-lWcc9WTmI/AAAAAAAAD3E/hR0PZWVM5OQ/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqIbFfTsk8g/T-lWcc9WTmI/AAAAAAAAD3E/hR0PZWVM5OQ/s400/Colston+1+year+old+039.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Colston's party outfit!</div>
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{no pin here, either!}</div>
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Pants custom made by the fabulous</div>
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<a href="http://www.wildflowersandwhimsy.com/" target="_blank">April of Wildflowers & Whimsy</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGwAUPcF5bo/T-lWiPqseII/AAAAAAAAD3M/PVm1I98KR6U/s1600/IMG_1367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGwAUPcF5bo/T-lWiPqseII/AAAAAAAAD3M/PVm1I98KR6U/s400/IMG_1367.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I purchased the iron-on letters at Hobby Lobby, and the bowtie was made from some scrap felt I had.</div>
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Shoes are baby TOMS. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5u6v9WlJTU/T-lWkf7lKkI/AAAAAAAAD3U/i2xPbw5w3mA/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5u6v9WlJTU/T-lWkf7lKkI/AAAAAAAAD3U/i2xPbw5w3mA/s400/IMG_1466.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Balloon Topiary Seuss-ical Trees</div>
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{inspiration <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/197665871114771768/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/197665871114766031/" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/197665871114760833/" target="_blank">here</a>}</div>
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in progress...</div>
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(my dad welded the trunks all funky, and attached them to a square metal base; ribbon was woven through inexpensive baskets; clear marbles from the floral department were used to weigh them down)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXk0jbqb16o/T-lWq7b7ZLI/AAAAAAAAD3g/hluF9dcaSYA/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXk0jbqb16o/T-lWq7b7ZLI/AAAAAAAAD3g/hluF9dcaSYA/s400/IMG_1222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and in action!</div>
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{photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.yulismith.com/" target="_blank">Yuli Smith</a>}</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFfhcdQ1jDE/T-lXDBWbtSI/AAAAAAAAD3o/HixwW8ddtRw/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFfhcdQ1jDE/T-lXDBWbtSI/AAAAAAAAD3o/HixwW8ddtRw/s400/Colston+1+year+old+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKKCh5nlMIo/T-lXWj742PI/AAAAAAAAD30/HHtEi2Emi3o/s1600/Colston+1+year+old+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKKCh5nlMIo/T-lXWj742PI/AAAAAAAAD30/HHtEi2Emi3o/s400/Colston+1+year+old+014.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Corn Hole Boards!</div>
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{my father-in-law makes & sells regulation sized boards; I had him create a smaller set for the party, and used images from the book to illustrate them}</div>
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in progress...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UZEcWl1MvQ/T-lXZLEffaI/AAAAAAAAD38/4DrCFGekbwg/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UZEcWl1MvQ/T-lXZLEffaI/AAAAAAAAD38/4DrCFGekbwg/s400/IMG_1379.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and *almost* ready for action! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tB5BVSnlBEo/T-lXa14bTyI/AAAAAAAAD4E/JgAvuMx5dag/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tB5BVSnlBEo/T-lXa14bTyI/AAAAAAAAD4E/JgAvuMx5dag/s400/IMG_1385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Come back later this week for a full post on the party!<br />
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Linking Up With:<br />
<a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/07/sunday-showcase-party-no-108.html" target="_blank">Stephanie Lynn Under the Table and Dreaming</a><br />
<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/06/weekend-wrap-up-party-imperfectly-perfect-necklace-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Tatertots & Jello</a><br />
<a href="http://askannamoseley.com/2011/07/weekend-warrior-link-party-11/" target="_blank">Weekend Warrior with Ask Anna</a><br />
<a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2012/07/creative-bloggers-party-hop-66.html" target="_blank">Homemaker on a Dime</a><br />
<a href="http://www.creationsbykara.com/2012/06/look-what-i-made-6-27-2012.html" target="_blank">Creations by Kara</a>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-22208419754316167292012-06-25T18:50:00.000-04:002012-06-29T01:07:53.564-04:00How To Stain Concrete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey y'all!</div>
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It's the post you've all been waiting for...I hope ;)</div>
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No, seriously. This is a good one. Ever since I started blogging about our (then-future) <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2012/02/small-space-move-part-iv.html" target="_blank">small space move</a>, I have touched on the idea of staining our concrete floors. I am super proud of this project, not only because it turned out fabulously, but it was cost-effective and I did it all myself (no hubs or daddy help!).</div>
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Before I get to the good stuff, I want to toss out a few disclaimers and FYIs.</div>
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--In researching this idea/project, I realized there are many types of concrete stain available, in a wide variety of colors. The brand I used was the same one my father-in-law used, made by <a href="http://www.kemiko.com/index.php/kemiko-stone-tone-stain.html" target="_blank">Kemiko</a>. The color I used is black.</div>
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--There are widely differing opinions as to how to apply the stain, how many coats, etc. I don't think there is a single correct way. In fact, I'm not sure you can mess this up...mostly because the end result depends about 90% on the chemical reaction between the stain and your concrete--not so much your technique or method of application.</div>
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--About that chemical reaction: I spoke to several different people, including a couple of 'pros' who told me that the age, location, current weather, and conditioning of the concrete ALL play a factor in the end result. I could stain my new floor the same time and way my neighbor stains theirs, and it look radically different. (lesson here: expect the unexpected)</div>
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--Color choice for me was easy. We did not want anything colored (green, blue, etc.) nor did I want anything that would run the risk of giving me a golden or orange hue. According to the pro at my local store, that meant black was the way to go. Something for y'all to consider if you do this :)</div>
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--This is for indoor AND outdoor concrete; the difference is the prep and the sealant you use.</div>
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*whew*</div>
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So here's an up close of my plain, new concrete. Per instruction, it's best to let newly poured indoor concrete cure for at least 4-6 weeks before applying stain.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66yvobuMRLI/T-jeCc_CoQI/AAAAAAAAD0c/bVO0sAWowjI/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66yvobuMRLI/T-jeCc_CoQI/AAAAAAAAD0c/bVO0sAWowjI/s400/IMG_0298.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Also, it needs to be as clean and free of debris as possible, and it helps if it's damp. Easy solution: with a clean, damp mop, go over the floor a few hours before you apply the stain. You want the floor damp, but without any standing water. This time window would vary, of course, on the weather. It was still cold enough here for the heat to be running so we didn't want it to get too dry. This helps the concrete not soak up quite so much stain at once. Think of it as priming wood before painting.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYyZobvxdhs/T-jeHSPVy9I/AAAAAAAAD0k/riImSuVByLc/s1600/IMG_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYyZobvxdhs/T-jeHSPVy9I/AAAAAAAAD0k/riImSuVByLc/s400/IMG_0299.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Another thing to note: this WILL get all over the place, and the Tyvek you see on the walls (my poor daddy, thinking it would salvage the walls) will not help. It will merely create a small white (or whatever wall color) stripe between the top splatters and the bottom ones. Do not paint beforehand, or plan to repaint/touch up after wards.</div>
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Once you have your stain, you need to get an inexpensive sprayer from your local home improvement store. Like the kind you use for weed killer. DO NOT get metal. Get one that has all plastic parts. The acid in the stain will corrode the metal. We got ours at Lowe's for about $10.</div>
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Here's one of those times about widely varying opinions. We mixed our stain roughly half and half; equal parts stain to water. HOWEVER. I have seen and heard some say that it should be 2:1 (water/stain) and some people say it can be 2:1 the other direction (stain/water). The only thing I know is that it's very similar to wood stain, in that the less diluted the stain is, the deeper your color has the potential to be. But that goes back to that pesky chemical reaction. I barely passed my honors Chem course. Don't ask me how it all works. Moving on.</div>
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Here's a little 'action shot' with me spraying. Plan to be in constant motion. There is no stand and spray for a few, move around. Just start in the farthest corner and work your way backward to your exit. Spray in sweeping motions, and don't spray enough that it begins to puddle up. (although I did on accident a couple of times, and it was fine)</div>
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This is right by the door after 1-2 coats. I ended up doing 3 coats total, and using every drop of my stain in the process. We weren't afraid of it turning out dark so I just went for it. Notice the contrast between this photo and the one above. The below picture shows the stain after it had dried, whereas in the top photo, it's still wet. </div>
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Don't let the darkness fool you when it's wet; it can substantially lighten once it is dry. And speaking of dry--let each coat dry as close to 24 hours as possible before applying your next coat.</div>
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Here we are after all three coats have been applied, and the stain is drying. You can already see the marbled effect, which I love. This is caused by the consistency of the concrete and its' composition as much as it is the reaction to the stain. It's awesome!</div>
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After letting the stain cure for a day, I came back to apply the sealer. We talked to the stain pro as well as the helpful man at Lowe's, and they both recommended this. The man at Lowe's said the easiest and most effective method of application was using a long handled roller with a long nap roller cover (I think mine was 3/8 in.). I applied it much like you would paint to a wall. Poured it into a paint tray and started walking. It's important to note that if your concrete is stamped like mine, you need to push a bit more to ensure the sealer gets in all the grooves.</div>
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I used the entire gallon of sealer, which got me just over 2 coats. By that I mean, I did 2 full, thick coats and then used the remainder to ensure the edges were properly sealed and the grooves were covered. </div>
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Here are two finished pictures, taken a few days ago. As you can see, it is not "black" at all. More of a brownish-gray. In fact, it really reminds me of concrete after a good steady rain...but marbled. We LOVE it. I have said multiple times if I could have this floor all over the house, I would.</div>
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Including the cost of having the concrete floor poured, we came out at less than $500. I was pretty thrilled. The end result is unique, and it's incredibly low maintenance. It's easy to vacuum, and a damp mop or Swiffer cleans it just fine. </div>
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It also feels surprisingly good underfoot. It's not as cold or smooth as tile...however, it's still cool and has a little texture which I enjoy. Is that odd? I just like the way it feels under my feet. The room this is in ended up being our living room, which means it's high-traffic but cleaning is such a breeze.</div>
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I seriously cannot say enough positive things about this project. It was easy, it wasn't super expensive, it didn't take much time to complete (in terms of actual hands-on time), and it's low-maintenance. I think it would be awesome in a bathroom or kitchen as well.</div>
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I hope I covered everything well enough for you to try this out sometime. If y'all have any questions, post them in the comments below and I'll be sure to answer.<br />
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Linking up to:<br />
<a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/" target="_blank">Not Just a Housewife</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kathewithane.com/" target="_blank">Kathe With An E</a><br />
<a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2012/06/creative-bloggers-party-hop-65.html" target="_blank">Homemaker on a Dime</a><br />
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/5wp8ncw" target="_blank">Boerman Ramblings</a><br />
<a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Diamond in the Stuff</a><br />
<a href="http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/2012/06/creative-juice-79.html" target="_blank">Momnivore's Dilemma</a><br />
<br /></div>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-56633686026993819642012-06-25T17:32:00.002-04:002012-06-25T17:32:31.864-04:00it's been awhileIs life ever NOT chaotic? Are there people in this world who get up and work or parent (or work AND parent) and then magically at 5, work stops. Dinner at 6. Bed at 11. Does that happen to anyone, ever? Because if so, I need the secret! It ain't a happ-nin' in this house! (so to speak)<br />
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I figured there's not ever going to be a "good" time to blog, so I'm just going to play catch-up with y'all! I have several little things I've been wanting to share since we moved, namely the stained concrete! So, be on the look out for that in the next day or so!<br />
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Fingers crossed, I miss my blogging buds!LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-40216417349589814032012-04-09T17:57:00.000-04:002012-04-09T17:57:17.908-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey, y'all!!!</div>
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I'm alive! Can you believe it? It's been a month since I last posted...wowza! We moved on St. Patrick's day, and it's been nothing but a steady stream of chaos ever since. We're still unpacking and moving things around, and trying to get our other house ready to list for sale.</div>
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I have so many cool things to share with y'all, and I just haven't had the time to write up any posts yet. I stained our concrete floor, I've done a couple of furniture makeovers, and I have some fun little extras in store as well.</div>
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At the end of our 'new' street we can hop on the <a href="http://greenvillerec.com/parks/swamp-rabbit/" target="_blank">Swamp Rabbit Trail</a> to walk or bike...and we're loving it! We've been walking often, and Colston really enjoys it from the comfort of his stroller (ohhh to be a kid again!). Here's a sunset image from one of our walks:</div>
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This is one of the azaleas in the front of my <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-memory-of-my-mama.html" target="_blank">MaMa's</a> house. I just found out that my mother planted this herself, at the age of 4 when she and my grandmother moved in. That was in the 50's! It's still gorgeous!</div>
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One of our Easter pictures. We had a really awesome Easter Sunday. Colston had a blast. He's finally at that age where things wrapped up and packaged really intrigue him. We had a great, great day. In light of the chaos we encountered from moving (more on that in another post), it's the best day we've had in a long time.</div>
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I hope y'all are doing well! Is it warming up where you are? We've had absolutely spectacular weather for the most part. I promise to be around more, very soon!</div>LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1061068881594789197.post-56167424298153754182012-03-08T12:06:00.000-05:002012-03-08T12:06:43.454-05:00I've been tagged...<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey, y'all!</div>
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Wow, it has been a bit since I posted last. Turns out this moving thing is hard work. We were supposed to be moving this weekend, but have had to postpone by a week. I have some furniture to paint before we move, and the concrete floor needs to be stained still as well. I have to get on it!</div>
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In the meantime, dear Lesley at Fabulously Flawed <a href="http://sofabulouslyflawed.blogspot.com/2012/02/yall-know-i-hate-talking-about-myself.html" target="_blank">tagged me in a post</a>. Bless her heart, I just am getting around to completing it. Oops. And y'all forgive me if I bend the rules a little, ok? (like using Lesley's questions)</div>
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So off to the questions!</div>
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1. How did you decide to start blogging? My <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-post-stupid-easy-peach-dump.html" target="_blank">real-life BFF</a> had 2 blogs. One was more a journal, one was a cooking blog. I decided since I didn't really have any real-life crafting/creative friends, a blog might be a good way to find some. Or at least, give myself an outlet to talk about it.<br />
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2. What would be your dream job? Five years ago I would have said "to own my own shop, selling handmade things"--and I do still want that. But I think I have my 'dream job' now, being a stay-at-home wife and mom.<br />
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3. What is your favorite movie or book? I'm not a big movie kinda girl. But I do love to read! Some of my all-time favorites are To Kill a Mockingbird, Brave New World, and A Wrinkle in Time.<br />
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4. Favorite food? I'm a picky picky eater...but I adore potato skins with a load of ranch dressing. Yes, I am aware that really is NOT a food.<br />
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5. If you had an entire afternoon free, who would you want to spend it with and doing what? Hanging out with the hubs and Baby C. Preferably on a beach somewhere.<br />
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6. What is the most significant goal you have achieved to date? <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/05/im-mom.html" target="_blank">Giving birth to Baby C</a>!<br />
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7. What is your dream vacation? Well, <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/07/vacation-that-wasnt.html" target="_blank">not this crap</a>. But after spending 2 weeks in Hawaii, I'd say going back there would be a dream vacation for sure.<br />
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8. When you go to weddings, do you dance or sit like a bump? I am really horribly anti-social (by choice, most of the time) and rarely find myself at weddings. And if I do, I don't dance. Then again, most of my friends don't now that I think on it.<br />
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9. If you were going to volunteer for an organization, what would it be? Well, for years I've been a member of <a href="http://www.soldiersangels.org/" target="_blank">Soldiers' Angels</a>. Supporting our troops has been very rewarding. But I would love to work with animals. <a href="http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/01/meet-my-furry-crew.html" target="_blank">I have...a few</a>. *wink<br />
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10. Favorite celebrity or sports star? Hrmmmm. I follow lots of famous peeps <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/GotShenanAgains" target="_blank">on Twitter</a>. Does <a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">The Bloggess</a> count as a celebrity? How about <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ochocinco" target="_blank">Ochocinco</a> (he's certifiably nuts)? Or <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/pagetpaget" target="_blank">Paget Brewster</a>? <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/CJSPILLER" target="_blank">CJ Spiller</a>? I don't know.<br />
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11. What is your best go-to recipe when you have company coming? BAHAHAHAHA...Sorry. Yeah, we don't have "company" over. We're hermits like that. We always just meet up for dinner at a restaurant.<br />
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Whew! Okay. I must get back to packing! Thanks <a href="http://sofabulouslyflawed.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lesley</a> for tagging me--I heart you! And I am too tired and lazy to tag people, but if any of you do this please let me know in the comments...I'll come read! </div>
<br />LP aka A Crafty Southern Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752162282852409814noreply@blogger.com3