tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767516717529557542024-03-14T00:09:07.685-04:00Making It My HomeJust trying to make this place my home. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-56109438457199693312014-02-20T09:55:00.002-05:002014-02-20T09:55:49.560-05:00Coffee DateI really haven't been in the mood to sit down and write lately. There really isn't that much that is worthy of writing about.<br />
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<li>But if we were sitting and <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/02/if-we-were-having-coffee-right-now.html">having coffee together</a>, I would tell you that I am so close to being done with the <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/master-bathroom-plans.html">bathroom</a>. I am going to find some cute accessories soon (maybe even today) and once we hang the shower curtain and blinds back up, it will be functional again. FINALLY. </li>
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<li>If we were having coffee together right now, I would tell you that I am heading into work, despite it being vacation, to do some prep work. I went the other day with intentions of staying until it was completely done, but left rather quickly because the snow started to pick up. I am heading there today and will have a couple of hours before I have to leave. My goal is to do as all of the lesson planning and prep work to get me throughout the end of March. </li>
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<li>If we were having coffee together, I would tell you I sort of fell off the wagon with my <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/making-small-goals-to-lead-to-better.html">healthy goals.</a> I am overall doing okay with not eating after 8:00 pm but definitely not nearly as strict as I was in January. But the workout one, I recently failed at. I was good up until last Monday (like 10 days ago) where I was consistent but then I took a rest day on Monday and then it just continued. I haven't gotten anywhere close to accomplishing the water goal. I keep forgetting to drink a full glass. (On the positive side though, I have been filling up my water bottle more frequently at work so that's gotta count for something)</li>
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<li>If we were having coffee together right now, I would tell you that I am doing really well at chipping away at my credit card bill. </li>
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<li>If we were having coffee right now, I would probably complain to you that my mother is driving me nuts about wedding stuff. I am pretty sure she is being the ridiculous over-bearing one. Seriously. Like for instance, she is being quite obnoxious about me asking certain people to be in the wedding party...or not asking others. She has even said that I am not allowed to having a flower girl or ring bearer. Yep, I kid you not. </li>
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<li>Speaking of wedding planning, I hate it. It's so not fun. It's not my wedding and I have accepted that I do not get to make any real decisions. I love my mother, but she is being a bitch about certain things and it is making wedding stuff not fun at all. </li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-86452262934824121792014-02-18T09:13:00.005-05:002014-02-18T09:13:48.971-05:00Tastes kind of like chinese food.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-wednesday-in-life.html">few weeks ago</a>, I made this recipe that I found from watching a bunch of Rachel Ray 30 minute meal episodes while endlessly <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/phase-four-painting-trim.html">painting the bathroom</a>.<br />
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During one particular episode, she made <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/sesame-soba-noodles-recipe.html">this meal</a> and I was instantly intrigued. <br />
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It turned out SO. FREAKING. GOOD. <br />
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<strong>Ingredients</strong>: <br />
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<li>half box of whole wheat linguini (Rachel Ray used soba noodles but I couldn't find any)</li>
<li>1/4 cup honey</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup soy sauce</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">2 TBSP rice vinegar (I used garlic infused rice vinegar)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">2 tsp sesame oil</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients"> One 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated. </li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">3-4 cloves of garlic, grated (Original recipe calls for one clove of garlic)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">1/3 cup olive oil</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">1 cup shelled edamame. (I have been eating these as a snack ever since and they are AWESOME)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">2 large carrots, grated</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">1 small bunch scallions, sliced</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">3 TBSP sesame seeds</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">Steak tips as desired</li>
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<strong>Directions</strong>:</div>
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Boil water and prepare pasta according to box directions.</div>
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Toast the sesame seeds over low head until they start to get slightly brown</div>
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Grill the steak tips on cast iron skillet as desired. Chicken or shrimp would be delicious in this as well. </div>
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<img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SD5kTHzT3zU/UvBCXMCQzwI/AAAAAAAACZk/P98A__2KIGo/s640/IMG_20140129_174357_621.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></div>
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Combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic.</div>
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Whisk in olive oil. </div>
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Add in the edamame, grated carrots, scallions,</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jWuayeGXuyg/UvBCf_M2-0I/AAAAAAAACaU/3TjDFA25URw/s640/IMG_20140129_172802_987.jpg" /></div>
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Toss with sesame seeds, pasta, steak and combine until all ingredients are incorporated.</div>
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Tips:</div>
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Freeze the ginger and use a potato peeler to peel. </div>
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A cheese grater was my best friend for this meal. I used it for everything. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulder's friend, Cole, and little puppy Ella. I almost died from insane amount of cuteness. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-51950217009498158792014-02-06T21:05:00.001-05:002014-02-06T21:05:37.955-05:00It's 9:00 at night.... what are you doing?<p dir=ltr>Me....I'm painting the bathroom.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Ib9Q-rTfyU/UvQ_biVjS_I/AAAAAAAACa8/hywBoJODBqk/s1600/IMG_20140206_210344_114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Ib9Q-rTfyU/UvQ_biVjS_I/AAAAAAAACa8/hywBoJODBqk/s640/IMG_20140206_210344_114.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-69966210486004402542014-02-05T12:40:00.000-05:002014-02-05T12:41:44.915-05:00If We Were Having Coffee Right NowI have read a lot of blog posts with this format so I thought I would join along. <br />
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<li>If we were sitting down together having coffee right now, I'd tell you that I am sick of snow days. The first two were exciting, but now it just makes me realize I'd rather be in school in January than in June.</li>
<li>If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that I am STILL in the process of painting the bathroom. It is taking me WEEKS...I just always seem to find something else to do instead of working on it. I'd also probably tell you that I have every intention of trying to get some of it done today.</li>
<li>If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that I am not one of those brides who loves this whole wedding planning thing. In fact, I think it sucks. I would also tell you that we are having a tough time find a band that we all love and agree on. I might even ask you for your opinions. Actually....I may do that! </li>
<li>If we were having coffee together, I would tell you about Ryan's new endeavor of immersing himself in carpentry and projects. Currently, he is convinced that is he is going to be the one to handcraft ALL of our furniture-that we will never purchase another piece of furniture. </li>
<li>If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that the teenager got his term 2 report card and overall, he is still doing very well. I didn't give him nearly as much support this term but he learned some good lessons about Independence and priority. </li>
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What would you tell me if we were sitting down together and having coffee?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-39819733747681178702014-02-01T12:31:00.002-05:002014-02-01T12:31:59.426-05:00A Wednesday In The Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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6:15 Ryan's alarm goes off. He hits snooze</div>
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6:20 Alarm goes off again. Snooze again.</div>
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6:25 Repeat</div>
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6:30 Teenager gets up. I opt for extreme laziness this morning and stay in bed as long as possible, knowing that I will feel rushed but do it anyways. It's so hard to get out of bed when this guy is curled up in there with you. </div>
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6:52 Get out of bed. Turn the kettle on to boil some water and let the dog out. </div>
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7:02 Say goodbye to the teenager as he goes of to school and bring my glass of juice into the bathroom as I do my hair and makeup. (Ignore the mess please-<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/phase-1-peeling-wallpaper.html">bathroom</a> is STILL in the in-between-phase) </div>
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By the way, I used to use the Naked foundation and still to this day love it but I recently found Almay's foundation and think it is a phenomenal, light weight, even coverage. And best of all, it's like it magically blends to your natural skin tone. I never see any of those weird foundation lines. For less than $10.00, it is now my go-to foundation for everyday use while the much more expensive foundation is reserved for special occasions. </div>
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7:40 ish - After getting dressed and picking up the bedroom, etc. I go back to the kitchen to eat <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/quick-and-easy-questions.html">my oatmeal and cran-grape</a> and make my lunch. </div>
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7:59 Leave the house and the gas light goes off as soon as I turn the car on. Shiiiit. I wanted to leave the house by 7:30 so I could have some extra time before students this morning....whelp. That's not happening! Gotta make a pit stop and get some gas first.</div>
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8:30 I run into work, racing around like a chicken with its head cut off and immediately see a hole puncher on my desk. The day before, I ran across the hall to the secretary to borrow her hole puncher and the next day, I see this on my desk. I <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/feeling-happy.html">love this job at this school.</a> </div>
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I get set-up for the day and go to the teachers lounge to throw my coffee in the microwave for a minute to reheat it a bit. </div>
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9:00 Get my first student for the day. See and work with different groups of students every half hour until 11:00</div>
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11:00. Paperwork time-I either write an IEP, write a report, do Medicaid logs, data collection, photocopies and plan some activities, emails. Or all of them at the same time. </div>
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11:30-12:30 Do more paperwork while I cover the office when the secretary is at her lunch. I cover for her lunch break quite often and I always seem to get so much work done while I am at her desk, despite the constant craziness that goes on in the office of an elementary school. </div>
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1:00 Three more groups of students, in half hour increments. </div>
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2:30-2:45. Finish up data collection for the day, put away all files, and clean my classroom. </div>
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2:45 I get a text from Ryan saying that the teenager is going over a friend's house after work. Wait, wait wait....so that means I will have some time by myself in the house....no interruptions....quiet, me time??? YYYYEEEESSSS!!! Feel a little joyous as I say goodbye to students and hang out by the front door and front lobby during dismissal. </div>
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3:00 Bust out of school. I got a lot accomplished today, despite the hectic start so I don't feel the need to stay late today. I am home, let the Mulder out, and settle in by 3:30.</div>
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3:35 Immediately get going on my burpees, pushups, sit-ups. Booyah. It was the <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/making-small-goals-to-lead-to-better.html">second to last day of the challenge</a> and I banged out 135 sit-ups, 95 burpees, and 19 pushups. I actually thought to myself that this is pretty do-able on a daily basis. After jumping in the shower, I blow dry my hair and fold/put away a load of laundry, empty the dishwasher, and think to myself how much I can get done during this one hour. </div>
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4:30 ish Ryan gets home and immediately goes to play in the basement with his man toys. I find it adorable. </div>
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5:30 Ryan and I cook dinner together. Recipe to come soon-it tasted like a healthier, less greasy version of Chinese food. SO. FREAKING.GOOD. </div>
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6:30-Teenager calls and is ready to be picked up from his friend's house. I volunteer to do that since I needed to stop at Rite Aid as well. </div>
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7:15. Back home and sitting down with the teenager to go over <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-am-mature-and-i-never-overreact.html">homework </a>. Of course, this turns into a battle. I keep my cool this time. Teenager-not so much. Deep breaths. This homework battle is a particularly stubborn battle, lasting nearly an hour. </div>
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8:30 Wind down</div>
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10:00-ish, Brush my teeth and get ready to get settled in for the night. By the way, I found these Dead Sea make up removers pads at <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-largest-pot-i-have-ever-seen.html">TJMaxx </a>for very cheap and LOVE THEM but I cant find them anywhere! I did find Mulder already hogging the bed.</div>
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And that's it. </div>
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What does a typical day look like for you?</div>
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The premise of this started with the obligatory new years resolutions. With the <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/random-thoughts-on-snow-day.html">upcoming wedding</a> and my<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/birthday-letter.html"> recent milestone birthday</a>, I wanted my resolution to be an overall healthier and better lifestyle. So I came up with the idea that I was going to make 2 small goals that I could focus on for January and I was going to do my best to stick with those goals. At the end of the month, I could reassess to determine if they were realistic and could become lifestyle changes or if they were completely unrealistic. <br />
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My first goal was a health related goal and that was to cut myself off from the kitchen after 8:00. I have a horrible habit of snacking <strike>binging</strike> at night so I gave myself some rules: I could drink as much water after 8, but nothing else. I gave myself Friday and Saturday's off because I knew that wouldn't be realistic. <br />
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The verdict: With the exception of 2, maybe 3, nights, where extenuating circumstances came up (like I didn't get home until way past 8 and one afternoon I was sick, but starving by nighttime), I really stuck to it and will continue to maintain this no-eating-after-8:00-thing. <br />
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My second goal was fitness based and it was to complete the 30 day sit up challenge, push up challenge, and burpee challenge. Every day. No matter what. I am determined to look and feel kick-ass in my wedding dress and for the first time in YEARS, wear a bikini on my honeymoon so I figured I gotta get my ass in gear. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/30-day-sit-up-challenge/">source</a><br />
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The verdict: DONE. I didn't miss a single day. I did get incredibly sick and ending up in the hospital during one of the days, so I just switched out the upcoming rest day, but I am SO PROUD of myself for sticking to this. As the days increased, I broke down the large numbers into smaller ones and rotated through all the different exercises until completion. For example, I would do 12 burpees, then 4 pushups, then 27 sit-ups, then I would do 7 more burpees, 3 more pushups, 38 more sit-ups, etc. until I reached the total amount for the day. <br />
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So, to up my own ante for February: <br />
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Health goal: I am going to continue to the no eating after 8:00 habit. My new goal will be to drink an entire glass of water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I guarantee I am going to be peeing even <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/100-things-about-me.html">more than I already</a> do. <br />
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Fitness goal: My goal is to be able to do 20 pushups consecutively, 50 burpees consecutively, and 100 sit-ups consecutively. I am also going to start tackling the pull-up bar. Daily plans to come-I need them to keep myself accountable! <br />
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I am adding a financial goal: I am going to figure out a way to pay off $350.00 towards my credit card bill. My long-term goal is to pay off the entire debt before the wedding. I already budget $150/month towards the bill but I am going to find every possible way to scrape together a total amount of $350.00 for this month. <br />
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How are your New Years resolutions going? <br />
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<strong></strong><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-36853387133317336352014-01-29T20:34:00.001-05:002014-01-29T21:28:20.701-05:00100th Post: Chocolate Cinammon Bread Pudding. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yay for me-my 100th post. No better way to celebrate than with something chocolate! </div>
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I wish I could give credit to the proper person/source, but I have NO idea where I even found this recipe. I've had it in my recipe book for as long as I have been cooking.</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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<li>loaf of cinnamon bread, cut into cubes</li>
<li>1/2 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>4 eggs</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>dash of salt</li>
<li>1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)</li>
<li>2.5 cups of milk</li>
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Directions:</div>
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1. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Cut/tear up bread into pieces. </div>
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2. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.</div>
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3. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla, brown sugar, salt. Pour over bread and press down to ensure that all of the bread is saturated. </div>
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4. If possible, refrigerate until needed or you can pop right into a preheated oven at 350 for 35-40 minutes. </div>
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One of our favorites around here. </div>
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Enjoy</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-60636665085599754332014-01-23T10:50:00.000-05:002014-01-23T10:50:22.264-05:00Phase Four -Painting the trim<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Phase Four of the <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/master-bathroom-plans.html">bathroom renovation</a> is complete. Skipped over phase three for now. </div>
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To recap: we <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/phase-1-peeling-wallpaper.html">peeled all the wallpaper</a> in phase one and painted one wall and the inside cabinets a rich <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/pop-of-cranberry-phase-2.html">cranberry color in phase two. </a></div>
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Whelp. I switched it up. I ended up painting the trim before painting the walls-it just worked out to be easier that way. <br />
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I was able to complete it in a couple of half-hour sessions. Not too bad, especially because I came home one day to find the entire window completed. Thanks Ryan! <br />
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We will have to fix the window and paint one more section of it, but that is 100% going to wait until the weather is better because the windows will have to be open for it. <br />
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Most people hate it, but I don't mind the tedious task of cutting and edging. I'm not the greatest at it, but I definitely do not get bothered by doing it. <br />
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The worst part was getting in the back corner behind the toilet. Talk about an area you just don't want to be in! <br />
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The bathroom painting is starting to irk the shit out of us. It has now been over a month and we are still chipping away at it. <br />
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The next step will be to clear the remaining walls of all the remaining debris from the wallpaper, sand them down, prime the walls, and then paint. Okay, so that's more like 4 steps. <br />
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It's getting annoying living in a bathroom that is all.over.the.place. <br />
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Baby steps, though. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-45541631736356241692014-01-22T14:29:00.001-05:002014-01-22T14:29:08.513-05:00Random THoughts on a Snow Day-It's a snow day today and I kind of wish we didn't have one. I'd rather have more time off at the end of the school year than sporadically throughout the winter. <br />
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- We booked a <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2014/01/quick-and-easy-questions.html">venue</a> yesterday! It's a beautiful historic hotel, built in the 1920's with a lot of old world charm and we will be married exactly seven years and one day after our first kiss. <br />
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-My best friend and I are doing a two goal (one health, one fitness) per month challenge. My health goal is to avoid eating after 8:00 and my fitness goal is to make it through the entire 30 day challenges for sit-ups, burpees, and pushups. I haven't missed a day of the fitness goal, although I did have to switch one of the days around because I was sick. As far as the no-eating-after-8:00 goal, I have been pretty good except for last night when I had a bowl of cereal late-night-but to my defense, I didn't eat dinner because I wasn't hungry earlier in the evening. <br />
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-I'm on a mission to pay off my credit card bill, hopefully before the end of the year, but definitely before our wedding. I would like to start off my marriage debt-free. <br />
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-I had been storing my puzzle downstairs in the basement and forgot about it for a few weeks. I saw it this morning and a huge chunk of it was destroyed. Grrrrr.<br />
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-That's it. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-62709137689732654862014-01-20T12:41:00.002-05:002014-01-20T12:41:59.498-05:00Quick and Easy Questions. It's been a stressful few weeks, hammering out some major wedding decisions and some other health concerns but now that most of that has subsided, I can give a little bit more attention back over here. <br />
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I have looked at a bunch of wedding venues and still cannot find something that perfectly suits my vision, along with my parents requests, so I am back to square one. I had always envisioned the "barn wedding with lots of twinkling lights" but because I cannot find a venue that is within a reasonable distance, I am reluctantly giving up that vision and trying to convince myself that I can find another type of venue. Just keep reminding myself that it is only a wedding and the marriage is waaaay more important. <br />
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We are looking at one more venue tomorrow afternoon and I have very high hopes for it. <br />
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Anyways, just wanted to touch base quickly before I got into this week's questions.<br />
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<strong>Quick and Easy Questions</strong></div>
1. <strong>What time did you go to bed last night?</strong> I took a few Tylenol PM to help with the sleeping and other pains, but it didn't help too much. I got into bed around 10:30 or so but was up until midnight. And then again three more times throughout the night. <br />
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2. <strong>What is the last thing that made you smile?</strong> I am spending the day with one of my favorite people and it never fails to make me smile when he looks me deep in the eyes and makes strong, meaningful eye contact. He happens to have profound autism and I have been working with him for eight and half years. <br />
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3. <strong>What is the last movie you watched?</strong> Ummmmm. Uhhhhh. Drawing a complete blank on this. I am totally NOT a movie person.<br />
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4. <strong>What did you have for breakfast today?</strong> Same thing as always: oatmeal, cran-grape lite followed by coffee. <br />
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5. <strong>Would you rather mop all of your floors or do laundry?</strong> No question-laundry. I have never mopped the floors in our house-Ryan does that. I like doing laundry. <br />
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6. <strong>Do you drink coffee?</strong> Every single morning. <br />
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7. <strong>Will you watch the Superbowl?</strong> I'll probably go to someone's house to "watch" it but will realistically sit in the kitchen with the other girls and chat. <br />
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8. <strong>How often do you shop for groceries?</strong> Typically I go every Sunday or Monday. It's my alone time and I relish in it. <br />
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9. <strong>What kind of workout will you do today?</strong> With the exception of last Saturday when I was really sick, I have stuck to the 30 day fitness challenges for pushups, sit-ups, and burpees. Today, I am slated to do 15 pushups, 95 situps, and 65 burpees. Like I said, I haven't missed a day in the entire month of January, except for last Saturday when I was sick. I just bumped up the rest-days when that happened. <br />
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10. <strong>Do you use a fitness tracker?</strong> I do not. <br />
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Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Happy Monday! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-45505389835160500072014-01-07T12:44:00.000-05:002014-01-07T12:44:00.351-05:00Vodka Slush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My mother has been serving this vodka slush for as long as I can remember. It's probably best in the spring/summer just because it is a frozen drink but I can still enjoy it all year round. <br />
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I served this on <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-menu.html">Thanksgiving</a> and it was completely gone by the end of the night. Its very "drinkable" -which can be both a good and a bad thing! <br />
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Ingredients:<br />
<ul>
<li>7 cups of water-divided</li>
<li>2 cups of sugar</li>
<li>4 tea bags</li>
<li>1 can of orange juice concentrate, thawed</li>
<li>1 can of lemonade concentrate, thawed</li>
<li>2 1/2 - 3 cups of vodka, depending on how you like it</li>
<li>Fresca for serving</li>
</ul>
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How To:<br />
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Start with bringing 2 cups of sugar and five cups of water to a boil. <br />
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In a separate pot, steep 4 tea bags in 2 cups of water. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TKTm9oTgjo/UsRT1HksrlI/AAAAAAAACS8/-5VUYASNreo/s1600/fresca.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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In a large Tupperware container, mix the two liquids together once they have cooled<br />
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Add in a can of frozen lemonade concentrate and a can of frozen orange concentrate <br />
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Stir it well. <br />
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Add in 2 1/2 - 3 cups of vodka, depending on how strong you want your slush to be. <br />
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Let it freeze overnight. <br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lzsZd1YzPzM/UsRMoH48FMI/AAAAAAAACSc/EWU7HLoyl1U/s400/IMG_20131231_200108_288.jpg" width="300" /><br />
To serve, scoop a few spoonful's into a tall glass and top with Fresca. <br />
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TKTm9oTgjo/UsRT1HksrlI/AAAAAAAACS8/-5VUYASNreo/s1600/fresca.png" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cnnb5WvGgbo/UsRMmAZXCkI/AAAAAAAACSI/1XwzomefttM/s640/IMG_20131231_200519_694.jpg" /><br />
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This is a great drink to serve because you can alter the ratio of slush/Fresca to individual preference and is super easy to serve. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-28235886692096771112014-01-05T11:43:00.000-05:002014-01-05T11:43:00.018-05:00Pop of Cranberry-Phase 2 The second phase of the bathroom project was painting the dark cranberry color on the wall behind the mirror and in the insert of the cabinets. <br />
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First, priming the area: <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ugKvR5s6FOY/UsGZ82kVJpI/AAAAAAAACNg/vWG2ArJS4Gk/s1600/IMG_20131228_092705_350rrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ugKvR5s6FOY/UsGZ82kVJpI/AAAAAAAACNg/vWG2ArJS4Gk/s640/IMG_20131228_092705_350rrr.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grey primer. <br />
didn't bother to do the middle section that will be covered by the mirror</td></tr>
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And now, comes the paint. It was looking much more magenta than a deep rich cranberry at first. <br />
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But once the third coat went on, it was looking better. <br />
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The "J"....well, when we are pissing each other off but in only a semi-serious way, we refer to each other as "jackass". Its a wonderfully affectionate term for one another. He came in and jokingly said something so I started writing "jackass" with the paint. Didn't make it past the "J" though. <br />
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The pictures/flash of the camera/light make the paint look very different from how it actually looks. I still have to go back and do some touch-ups, but I am probably going to wait to do that until I paint the hallway-which may end up using some of the extra paint. <br />
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Oh, in case you were wondering (and so I can refer back to it if needed), the paint is called "Merlot" by Olympic, with an eggshell finish.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-78743488282929731392014-01-03T11:02:00.000-05:002014-01-03T11:02:00.501-05:00Phase 1-Peeling wallpaper<br />
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Phase 1 of my <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/master-bathroom-plans.html" target="_blank">bathroom renovation</a> is complete! <br />
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The horrible disco-kaleidoscope mustard yellow-gold wallpaper is officially gone as well as the very retro toilet. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1PLLC3rk-Y/UsGUeeoJfcI/AAAAAAAACNI/c6_6B62XUWM/s1600/change+the+toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1PLLC3rk-Y/UsGUeeoJfcI/AAAAAAAACNI/c6_6B62XUWM/s640/change+the+toilet.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was slightly sad to see that toilet go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepping for the new toilet that actually flushes! </td></tr>
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I know most people find peeling wallpaper to be one of the worst parts of a home renovation-the time it consumes, the tedious little pieces, scrapping those little bits and pieces off....<br />
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I don't mind it though. I actually like projects like that (it's also why I probably like folding laundry, knitting, and untangling knots)<br />
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I started peeling the wallpaper a few weeks ago when I just peeled off one tiny spot to jump start the process on fixing up this bathroom. Now that I have had a good chunk of time off, I kept going with it. <br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eyYWtU0KmsY/UsGQ-6yVHNI/AAAAAAAACLw/I1fCNc985o4/s320/IMG_20131223_180554_355.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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We didn't use any special tools-just the steam from the shower, and since oil is so freaking expensive, I only peeled the wallpaper when Ryan or I were using/just finished taking a shower. The steam from the shower allowed most of the paper to peel right off. The worst area was behind where the mirror was but a little spray of the wallpaper remover gunk and Ryan's electric sander made the process relatively painless. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye ugly wallpaper</td></tr>
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I saved some of the "good" pieces for an upcoming project. The wallpaper deserves a little bit of credit! <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-70896462328793791352014-01-02T18:40:00.001-05:002014-01-02T18:40:24.385-05:00Random Thursday Thoughts1. We had a low-key but perfect NYE around here. It's almost become a tradition for Ryan and I to host our friends for the evening. Ryan slightly over estimated the amount of food to make and now we have an abundance of pulled pork. It's-all-we-have-been-eating-for-the-past-two-going-on-three-days. <br />
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2. Massive snow storm up in New England. Most schools, mine included, have the day off tomorrow. Yep, teachers get excited when we have snow days too. <br />
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2. I am bugging out about potentially losing power and therefore, losing heat and hot water. <br />
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3. My parents are coming back from vacation today and have already had to re-arrange their travel plans to accommodate for the weather. It's nerve-racking thinking they are flying in this weather although it does help being able to get alerts from the airline sent straight to my phone. <br />
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4. But, since I don't have work tomorrow, I plan on doing some more painting in the <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/master-bathroom-plans.html">master bathroom</a>. It's really starting to come along! (Previews coming soon)<br />
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5. Assuming everything goes according to plan, I should have my wedding venue and date set very soon. Over vacation, I looked at a few more places and found <em>the one</em>. The venue is all booked except for one specific date in Spring 2015 that <em>makes perfect sense</em>. I'm hoping everything works out! <br />
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6. Speaking of wedding planning, I have learned the following things:<br />
<ul>
<li>It's a lot more fun when it is a pinterest wedding and not the actual thing. So many decisions, so many factors to consider, and so many different people to please!</li>
<li>At the end of the day, whatever happens with it, it is just a wedding. I'd rather put my focus on the marriage.</li>
<li>With that being said, there are a few major aspects of the day that I am dead-set on because they will reflect and be a part of the beginning of our marriage. </li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-17886871191395001152013-12-31T08:00:00.000-05:002013-12-31T08:00:00.882-05:00Top 13 Posts in 2013I thought I would jump in on the bandwagon to do a quick "Top 13 in 2013" post. <br />
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13. Coming in at the 13th most viewed post is: <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/puppy-sitting-pole-competition-apple.html" target="_blank"> Puppy-sitting. Pole Competition. Apple Picking. Friend Making Monday</a>. Looking back, that was a really fun weekend. I started getting back into pole dancing and that weekend even inspired and motivated me to train harder and enter in my first competition. <br />
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12. Ranking in at 12th most viewed post was one of my favorite recipes: m<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/maple-butternut-squash-and-sweet.html" target="_blank">aple Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Bisque</a>. Yum<br />
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11. And in eleventh place is one of my other favorite recipes: <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/homemade-ravioli.html" target="_blank">Homemade Ravioli</a>. I seriously love the convenience of these! Too bad they aren't the healthiest option<br />
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10. In tenth position is my post about <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/unforgettable-moments.html" target="_blank">Unforgettable Moments</a> where I had so much fun announcing our engagement. (I have been working on my "how we met" series which will lead into the "how we got engaged" story)<br />
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9. <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-dance-room.html" target="_blank">My Dance Room</a> is the ninth most viewed post and gives a tour of my dream room. Well, having a pole wasn't always in my childhood dreams but a room/area that is specifically made for dancing always was. <br />
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8. <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/friend-making-monday-10-things-that.html" target="_blank">Friend Making Monday-10 Things That Make Me Happy</a>. The title is as obvious as it gets. <br />
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7. <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/id-like-to-quit-gym-and-ten-things.html" target="_blank">"I'd Like To Quit The Gym" and Ten Things Tuesday</a> In the seventh most viewed post, I discussed my anxiety over quitting the gym as well as some other tasks that had to get accomplished.<br />
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6. My neurosis was in clear view when I explained my <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-menu.html" target="_blank">Thanksgiving Menu</a> in the sixth most viewed post. <br />
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5. In the fifth most viewed post, I showed a bunch of pictures from a weekend of brewing beer and other fun activities. <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/im-clearly-few-days-late-on-this.html" target="_blank">I'm Clearly A Few Days Late On This One...Brewing Beer and Friend Making Monday</a><br />
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4. The fourth most viewed post was on my decision making process for living painting the living room. <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/debate-of-day-smoky-olive-or-mark-twain.html">Debate of the day: Smoky Olive or Mark Twain Olive</a>.<br />
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3. <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/crossing-things-off-my-list.html" target="_blank">Crossing things off my list</a> was the third most viewed post and helped me get a handle on the multiple to-do items going on at that time. <br />
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2. <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-before-tour.html" target="_blank">The Before Tour</a> was the second most viewed post and probably the hardest/most complicated one for me to figure out. I had the hardest time posting the pictures and formatting them! But the post was really important to me so that I have a record of what this house looked like and all the progress we have made with it. <br />
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1. <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/100-things-about-me.html" target="_blank">100 Things About Me</a> is the most viewed post and it is pretty self-explanatory! <br />
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Tonight is New Years Eve and we have hosted it for five+ years now for our group of friends. I'll be making <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/bacon-wrapped-dates.html">bacon wrapped dates</a> and a chocolate-y treat that's super easy. Ryan is making a large pork shoulder for some pulled pork sandwiches. <br />
For the most part, everyone will bring an appetizer or chip/dip as well as their own drinks. <br />
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What are you doing for New Years Eve?<br />
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PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not drink and drive. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-55198562007111739112013-12-30T10:30:00.001-05:002013-12-30T10:30:20.055-05:00Master Bathroom Plans Our master bathroom is really <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-before-tour.html">outdated</a>.<br />
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The wallpaper makes me cringe and the mustard yellow tub and sinks is very authentic to the 1970's.<br />
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Although Ryan loves the wallpaper and wants to keep it, I ripped a small piece of it on a whim to get me going on re-doing the bathroom. <br />
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Unfortunately, it isn't in our budget at this time to do a major renovation so we are stuck with the outdated vanity and mustard yellow bathtub for now. The tile is in great condition and I don't <em>hate</em> it so we are keeping that for the time being. My mission for this house is to never see mustard yellow ever again! </div>
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The plan is to work with the existing shower curtain and matching accessories so we will stick with a darker neutral color for the walls but have a cranberry color on the mirror wall and use some orange accessories around the room. Also, I have to pay homage to the original wallpaper and will find some way to re-purpose a small piece of it. <br />
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<div>
Phase 1: Strip wallpaper<br />
Phase 2: Paint wall behind mirror and exposed medicine cabinet a cranberry color.<br />
Phase 3: Paint walls (slightly darker color than what is in the bedroom)<br />
Phase 4: Paint all trim (deep rich espresso-like brown)<br />
Phase 5: Decorate with a few orange accessories <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-45350709956359273782013-12-21T17:50:00.002-05:002013-12-21T17:58:31.731-05:00School VacationI'm pretty sure I could speak for nearly every teacher and say we get just as excited for school vacations as the studetns do. <br />
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My break officially started as of 3:00 yesterday afternoon. Last night, I worked on organizing my articulation cards -a process I have been working on since the end of the last school year- while we had a movie on in the background. <br />
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I have a lot of projects that I want to do over the next week and a half while I am on vacation-looking at two potential wedding venues, <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/p/101-in-1001.html" target="_blank">organizing my office</a>, and hopefully peeling the wallpaper in the bathroom. <br />
I brought home some school related items too-some paperwork that must get done and some projects (like the articulation cards). <br />
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Hopefully now that I have some time in the next week, I can start posting more too. <br />
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Do you have this week off? What have you been up to?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-57034525287299169722013-12-10T18:20:00.002-05:002013-12-10T18:21:04.737-05:00TraditionsRebecca at My Little Devils with wings asked me to be a guest blogger and I eagerly accepted. <br />
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Check out our <a href="http://www.littledevilswithwings.com/2013/12/first-ever-guest-blogger.html" target="_blank">Christmas Traditions</a>. <br />
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What are some of your holiday traditions? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-70068070060141209762013-12-09T21:45:00.005-05:002013-12-09T21:45:44.780-05:00Bacon Wrapped DatesHappy Monday!<br />
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I've been so caught up in the excitement between <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/tips-and-tricks-for-hosting-thanksgiving.html" target="_blank">Thanksgiving</a>, the holidays, and a <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/unforgettable-moments.html" target="_blank">very happy event</a>, blogging has sort of taken a back seat. Oh well. <br />
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Other than the initial excitement of being engaged and realizing planning a real wedding is not nearly as fun as planning a pinterest wedding, this past week had been relatively normal. This past weekend, Ryan and I went to look at a potential venue and spent the day together feeling very engaged. Later that evening, we had an impromptu double date followed by a Sunday of errands and house cleaning. It was actually one of the best weekend's in a while. <br />
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<img alt="friend makin mondays" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5799" height="179" src="http://alltheweigh.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: <a href="http://alltheweigh.com/" target="_blank">www.alltheweigh.com</a> so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!<br />
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<strong>Share Your Favorite Holiday Recipe</strong></div>
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Anyways, this week's Friends Making Monday is all about exchanging a holiday recipe and since I still have to share the <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/puppy-sitting-pole-competition-apple.html" target="_blank">bacon-wrapped date</a> recipe from <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-visual-recap-friendsgiving-1.html" target="_blank">Thanksgiving</a>, this turned out to be perfect time. Love when that stuff happens!<br />
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And to be honest, I cant really call it a recipe. The name of it says it all. These fall into that category of <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/homemade-ravioli.html" target="_blank">pathetically easy</a>. <br />
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Three ingredients and you're done.<br />
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<strong>You need:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Pre-pitted dates</li>
<li>Bacon</li>
<li>Pecans</li>
</ul>
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I've noticed that the quality of bacon makes a HUGE difference. So far , I've used maple bacon and apple-cured bacon. Holy delicious-ness<br />
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<strong>So easy:</strong> <br />
1. Line a baking sheet with rim with tin foil for easy clean -up. Place a cookie sheet on top.<br />
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2. Stuff a pecan in the date<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2b5mqjnWDc/UqZ_ZD14GNI/AAAAAAAACFg/6T9CTTSaNZg/s1600/IMG_20131123_142008_159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2b5mqjnWDc/UqZ_ZD14GNI/AAAAAAAACFg/6T9CTTSaNZg/s320/IMG_20131123_142008_159.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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3. Cut a piece of bacon to fit around the date. <br />
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4. Cook until bacon is crisp. It can go in at 350 for 15-20 minutes, 400 for 10-15 minutes, or 450 for 7-10 minutes. Just really keep your eye on it to make sure the bacon doesn't burn. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yluwbLmioww/UqZ_ZWMSw-I/AAAAAAAACF0/jhtoYmBG1hs/s1600/IMG_20131123_142037_338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yluwbLmioww/UqZ_ZWMSw-I/AAAAAAAACF0/jhtoYmBG1hs/s320/IMG_20131123_142037_338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want, they can be stuffed and wrapped the day before. Just keep covered in the fridge until ready to bake. <br />
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I've made these for a few different get together's and they have always turned out to impress the crowd. (Except for the time when I forgot about them in the oven and burnt them. Woops) <br />
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What's your favorite holiday recipe?<br />
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Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s question! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-59675517082933961142013-12-02T22:12:00.000-05:002013-12-02T22:12:02.678-05:00Unforgettable Moments I swear this week's questions could not have been more perfect.<br />
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Keep reading to find out why...</div>
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If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: <a href="http://alltheweigh.com/" style="color: #2361a1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.alltheweigh.com</a> so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Unforgettable Moments</strong></div>
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1. Share the details of your first kiss.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
First kiss ever: Summer before 7th grade, behind the baseball field at <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/100-things-about-me.html" target="_blank">camp</a>. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
First kiss with Ryan: The end of our first date. We were sitting in the parking lot of the restaurant, getting ready to leave. The clock changed from <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-leibster-award.html" target="_blank">11:59 to 12:00</a>, which turned the date to May 1st. I looked over at Ryan, said "Happy May" at which point, he leaned over, tilted my chin, and in that moment right before the kiss, I got those butterflies. I still get butterflies when he tilts my chin like that.</div>
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2. Did you put your foot in your mouth in 2013? If so, tell us about it.</div>
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<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
No comment. </div>
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</ul>
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3. Share the story of one of your most embarrassing moments.</div>
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<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
I actually don't get that embarrassed too easily. While I definitely have mortifying moments, nothing major sticks out. </div>
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</ul>
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4. Tell us what it was like when you traveled outside of your home state or country for the first time.</div>
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<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
When I was 15, I went to Israel for five weeks with 57 other people from my camp. We were all the same age and had practically grown up together, summer after summer. It was such an unforgettable experience. I recently found my journal from that summer and got such a kick out of re-reading it. </div>
</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead Sea, 1999</td></tr>
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5. Share something that forced you outside of your comfort zone in 2013.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
I left my job for a new position working with a different age group. It didn't work out, which is absolutely okay because I ended up in a way better position. It's funny how things just seem to <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/feeling-happy.html" target="_blank">work out</a>. </div>
</li>
</ul>
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6. Tell us about a gift that you received that meant a lot to you.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
I know it's so silly, but Ryan went to the store and came home with "my juice". I am slightly obsessed with having juice in the house, specifically Ocean Spray's cran-grape lite. A few weeks ago, he saw that I was out and without asking him, he went to the store to get some. Little things like that are great. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
Another amazing gift was from my parents. My father and I both have a thing for clocks, especially<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/100-things-about-me.html" target="_blank"> grandfather clocks.</a> For years, he had been saying how he wanted to get a grandfather clock for his office. A few weeks before we closed on our house, he asked me if I would go help him pick out a clock at my favorite store, The Country Store. When we got there, we went through a bunch of the clocks and decided we both like the same one the best. When we went to pay and deal with the delivery aspect of it, he told me it was being delivered to our new house-and not his office, as a housewarming gift. It is one of the most special gifts. </div>
</li>
</ul>
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7. Share the details of the best date that you’ve been on in the last year.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
Actually, Ryan took me to a Slayer concert over the weekend with another couple. While the music and heavy metal is not necessarily my thing, I had a wonderful time with him (and the other couple we went with). We went for a nice dinner beforehand and spent the night at a hotel which always makes things more fun. The actual concert was an experience and I am glad I went to share it with Ryan. Now, I get to hold it over his head until he comes to see a musical theater show with me. </div>
</li>
</ul>
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8. Describe one beautiful moment that was not captured by a photo.</div>
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<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
Ryan and I went for a walk on some of the trails behind our house yesterday afternoon. It was lightly raining and Mulder had a great time on the trails. We spent the entire walk giggling and laughing and cracking jokes. When we got to the top where the abandoned ski lift, we were both acting giddy....is this the moment we get engaged??? He was thinking the same thing but told me he didnt have the ring with him and this wasn't it. The whole rest of the day, we joked about it. </div>
</li>
</ul>
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9. Share one important thing that you hope to accomplish before the end of the year.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
Perfecting the <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013_09_01_archive.html" target="_blank">layback</a> on the pole</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
10. Tell us about one defining moment of 2013.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1.57em; padding: 0px;">
Yesterday, in the early evening, Ryan and I got <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/p/101-in-1001.html" target="_blank">engaged</a>. It was spontaneous and perfect and SO US. I can't wait to share the proposal story later this week (no, it didn't happen during the walk)</div>
</li>
</ul>
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</div>
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Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments. Happy Monday, friends!</div>
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I'm still on cloud-nine and don't plan on coming down any time soon. </div>
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So.....how was your weekend??</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-85257005982413389392013-11-29T20:46:00.000-05:002013-11-29T20:46:56.845-05:00A Visual Recap: Friendsgiving 1, Friendsgiving 2, Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I have opted to take the last few weeks off from any sort of blogging since I have been spending all my free time doing Thanksgiving related tasks and taking care of writing all 60+ progress reports for school that are conveniently due on Monday. Great timing!</div>
<br />
Since I am spending the rest of the night parked on the couch in oversized sweatpants to accommodate the amount of food I consumed yesterday and writing the remaining progress reports, I don't have too much time to write an actual post. But since <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/hug-your-dog-little-extra-tonight-and.html" target="_blank">we last left off</a>, this is what's been going on: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxHOX_YGnmQ/UplAc-rNiqI/AAAAAAAACB0/IPD3yl12wzo/s1600/bcandates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxHOX_YGnmQ/UplAc-rNiqI/AAAAAAAACB0/IPD3yl12wzo/s640/bcandates.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-cooked bacon wrapped dates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iaj3dOmstAA/UpkzssdJleI/AAAAAAAACAg/1M04s8BGPGw/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_232460="null" dua="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iaj3dOmstAA/UpkzssdJleI/AAAAAAAACAg/1M04s8BGPGw/s640/friends.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendsgiving 1</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9eh-t6o8mc/Upkzt1Ff3jI/AAAAAAAACAo/S-HcLsu3_jY/s1600/frindsgiv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_232460="null" dua="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9eh-t6o8mc/Upkzt1Ff3jI/AAAAAAAACAo/S-HcLsu3_jY/s640/frindsgiv.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendsgiving 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nvrqSXgGW4/UplAguX3pGI/AAAAAAAACCE/KiNqNkftqvc/s1600/potatohands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_344503="null" dua="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nvrqSXgGW4/UplAguX3pGI/AAAAAAAACCE/KiNqNkftqvc/s640/potatohands.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hands were brown after peeling 25 pounds of potatoes over the course of two days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFnNc8W6in8/Upkzy1Nk0BI/AAAAAAAACBI/kMbj-9nRMbk/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_232460="null" dua="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFnNc8W6in8/Upkzy1Nk0BI/AAAAAAAACBI/kMbj-9nRMbk/s640/table.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving at our house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXvKlxTkfOo/UplAt-LbCzI/AAAAAAAACCs/fusVMvBtDCA/s1600/waffles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXvKlxTkfOo/UplAt-LbCzI/AAAAAAAACCs/fusVMvBtDCA/s640/waffles.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crescent waffles anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZOJBwFZh_s/UplAq0BYwRI/AAAAAAAACCk/7AbP1MKMbQw/s1600/veggietreay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="359" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZOJBwFZh_s/UplAq0BYwRI/AAAAAAAACCk/7AbP1MKMbQw/s640/veggietreay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's turkey tray</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5mDA3Wcx-c/Upkz46FhcVI/AAAAAAAACBg/JBCd6ANrKYw/s1600/spread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_232460="null" dua="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5mDA3Wcx-c/Upkz46FhcVI/AAAAAAAACBg/JBCd6ANrKYw/s640/spread.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-menu.html" target="_blank">Dinner</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzdOeT3N9qk/Upkzu7pzBPI/AAAAAAAACAw/FNI4IL7oF24/s1600/panoramic+of+thanksgiving+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_232460="null" dua="true" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzdOeT3N9qk/Upkzu7pzBPI/AAAAAAAACAw/FNI4IL7oF24/s640/panoramic+of+thanksgiving+dinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving at our house</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nluU-K9CzVk/UplApMeHc4I/AAAAAAAACCc/sjtqqcxaF7E/s1600/tiredmulder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nluU-K9CzVk/UplApMeHc4I/AAAAAAAACCc/sjtqqcxaF7E/s640/tiredmulder.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired after a day of lots of food and lots of family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I hope to write more soon, especially a post on the bacon wrapped dates (I made them for one of the Friendsgiving's and for Thanksgiving at our house) and they were a hit at both events. <br />
<br />
How was your Thanksgiving?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-31718620982940476382013-11-18T16:21:00.001-05:002013-11-18T16:21:11.019-05:00Hug Your Dog A Little Extra Tonight and Friends Making Monday-HolidaysOn Friday night, Ryan took the teenager out to celebrate his success in school lately while I had some alone-time. It.was.perfect.<br />
<br />
I finished up my <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/what-im-looking-forward-to-in-november.html" target="_blank">CPI training</a> on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed the course. Unfortunately, while I was there, I received some horribly sad news about one of Mulder's best friend's. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp9LB961avU/Uop98Co7HMI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/aGajpNg5FSA/s1600/culmul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp9LB961avU/Uop98Co7HMI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/aGajpNg5FSA/s640/culmul.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2012</td></tr>
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<br />
His friend Chullain was hit by a car on Friday night and did not make it. It is unfathomable to think that we will never get to play with this amazing dog again and the amount of sadness I am feeling for our friends, Ed and Emily, is overwhelming. Please hug your puppies a little extra tonight. <br />
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We went over their house on Saturday night to be there with them (and join in on their wine tasting they were having for their upcoming wedding-p.s. such a fun idea to do a blind wine tasting. The boys got really into it)<br />
<br />
Sunday, I got down and dirty in my<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-actual-timeline-part-2.html" target="_blank"> Thanksgiving preparations</a>. After spending the better part of the day helping the teenager with a project, I did a bunch of errands and food shopping. <br />
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And that is the extent of the weekend. Did you do anything fun?<br />
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<img src="http://alltheweigh.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" /></div>
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If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: <a href="http://alltheweigh.com/" target="_blank">www.alltheweigh.com</a> so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Holidays</strong></div>
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1. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What are you plans for Thanksgiving this year?</strong> <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/id-like-to-quit-gym-and-ten-things.html" target="_blank">Hosting for 15 people.</a> </div>
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2. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">At what point do you being celebrating the Christmas season?</strong> I start getting presents as early as October just as I see them but </div>
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3. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you celebrate Christmas, or do you celebrate another holiday?</strong> I grew up Jewish but ever since I started dating Ryan, we celebrate Christmas together. We actually got each other the same gift our first Christmas together. Awwww</div>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">4. <strong>If you could have one present (you know, a material good, not love or world peace) what would you want?</strong> a<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/puppy-sitting-pole-competition-apple.html" target="_blank"> proposal.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">5. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Share an idea or two that you can plan to do for someone who may need to feel loved throughout the holiday season.</strong> Invite them over! When I lived in <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-leibster-award.html" target="_blank">Florida</a> for grad school, one of our professors invited anyone and everyone to their house for Thanksgiving , especially because so many people couldn't travel home or didn't have anywhere else to go. </span></div>
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6. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Would you rather spend the holiday season on the beach or in the snow?</strong> Snow. </div>
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7. <strong>What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?</strong> Mashed potatoes. </div>
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8. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Will you participate in Black Friday shopping?</strong> Absolutely not. I live very close to the outlets so the traffic gets insane. I couldn't imagine dealing with all that. I would probably bitch out too many people. </div>
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9. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Will you travel for the holidays or stay at home? If you’re traveling, are you flying or driving or making alternate plans?</strong> We will be visiting Ryan's father's side of the family, which is his tradition. We start out at our house, then to his parents house, then to his aunt/uncles. All driving. I haven't quite figured out Chanukah plans yet, but i would like to have my brother, his wife, and nephew over at least one of the nights so i can spoil him. </div>
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10. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">List at least 5 things for which you are currently thankful.</strong></div>
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<ol>
<li> The teenager <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/bragging-alert.html" target="_blank">doing well in school</a>. It finally feels like all this hard work is paying off</li>
<li>Reconciling with my <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/friends-making-monday-all-about-blog.html" target="_blank">family</a></li>
<li>My <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/my-friends-make-my-life-worth-living.html" target="_blank">friends</a>. I love them to death</li>
<li> My <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/feeling-happy.html" target="_blank">new job</a>. It makes the world of difference having a job that I enjoy going to rather than dreading.</li>
<li>Ryan. Even when I<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-am-mature-and-i-never-overreact.html" target="_blank"> don't like him</a>, I love him</li>
<li><a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/friend-making-monday-10-things-that.html" target="_blank">Mulder</a>. And <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/100-things-about-me.html" target="_blank">Bauer</a>. And <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-make-perfect-iced-coffee-at-home.html" target="_blank">Windsor</a>. I love all of my dogs, past and present. </li>
</ol>
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(I couldn't pick just 5. I'm lucky )<br />
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<br />
You're turn<br />
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and take a moment to share it on Facebook and twitter too! Why not spread the friend makin’ love?! <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://alltheweigh.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> Happy Monday, friends!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-36591954924956981062013-11-17T18:15:00.001-05:002013-11-17T18:15:19.591-05:00Bragging Alert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Bragging alert....</div>
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If you've been reading for a while, you would know that the teenager hasn't always been the best student. Words that would describe his school-attitude would be lazy, lack of effort, easy to give up, rushing to get the assignment done just to get it done, etc. There were numerous meetings and emails with his teachers throughout the school years and grades were still barely passing. </div>
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(Now a lot had to do with some issues regarding "his other side" which I will not discuss here on the blog, but even so, the explanations aren't an excuse.)</div>
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Homework was a constant battle of forgetting it at school, lying about it being done/not having any. Assignments were rushed just for the sake of them being done.</div>
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The list goes on. </div>
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There was just plain old no motivation or pride on his part. </div>
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So, this year. I took matters into my own hands and told the teenager things were going to be different. I told Ryan to leave ALL school related issues to me. </div>
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I flat out explained (and wrote down for him) how it would be working. I would be checking his homework on a DAILY basis. We wrote out lists for what it meant to be on the "good side" and the rewards of what would happen for that and we did the same for the "bad side". We came up with results/consequences on a daily basis as well as a long term basis (i.e. report card time)</div>
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But, remember when I said my new method was <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-make-timeline-for-cooking.html" target="_blank">working</a>...</div>
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Well, here's the first term report card. All core classes within the A- range. (The B- is from an extra support class and doesn't get factored in, but is merely there as a guideline).</div>
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What can't be seen is the comments section which all show comments such as "great effort," "recent improvement," and "always tries hard."</div>
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Yeah, and that honor roll standing at the bottom. That says HIGHEST HONOR ROLL</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sBs6Nrg7tEE/UoaopFpCl5I/AAAAAAAAB7A/ncwR2QwKE3Q/s640/IMG_20131115_174038_491.jpg" /></div>
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The teenager is very proud of himself and I hope he continues doing what he is doing! </div>
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This report card is going to get framed</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-25955307402717797752013-11-16T19:53:00.000-05:002013-11-16T19:53:01.289-05:00Proof-I Wore Lipstick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am NOT a lipstick person. I don't mind throwing it on for special occasions but for everyday, it feels too weird to me. Plus, I never remember to re-apply.</div>
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But last week at work...low and behold. </div>
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I wore<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/p/101-in-1001.html"> lipstick at work</a>. </div>
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Here's the proof. Lipstick on top of piles of paperwork.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fZwtW3gkM24/UoQY-Y_luXI/AAAAAAAAB6w/qKpLEaZbSpk/s640/IMG_20131021_121716_465.jpg" /></div>
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I even remembered to re-apply. </div>
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And then, the next day....I wore it again. </div>
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I even went on a few day streak.</div>
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But then I switched back to chapstick. </div>
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Totally not a lipstick wearing gal</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376751671752955754.post-31974905455836986592013-11-15T13:45:00.002-05:002013-11-17T21:38:58.304-05:00The Actual Timeline-Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
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Are you prepared to see just how type-A and neurotic I am? <br />
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(Disclaimer, I already know I am neurotic and don't need you telling me I am nuts)<br />
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After I went through all of my dishes that I am going to <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-menu.html" target="_blank">serve</a> and determined <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-make-timeline-for-cooking.html" target="_blank">when</a> I was going to make them, I needed to put them in chronological order because I am OCD like that. And, I want to make sure I add in other tasks that need to get accomplished in the next few weeks too- tasks such as cleaning, shopping, and decorating.<br />
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So, here goes the official time line. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Saturday, 11-16-13</span></div>
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<li>Figure out if I have every dish/serving ware, etc I need as well as enough table room and chairs, and table settings</li>
<li>Decide on "decorations"</li>
<li>Make shopping list </li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sunday, 11-17-13</span></div>
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<li>Shop for any items needed to cook, host, decorate, etc.</li>
<li>Do big shopping trip #1 for all non-perishables and anything I need to cook before the next shopping trip</li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Tuesday, 11-19-13</span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Make <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-make-timeline-for-cooking.html" target="_blank">apple bread</a></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Go to liquor store</li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wednesday, 11-20-13</span></div>
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<li>Make c<a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/phew.html" target="_blank">hocolate chip cookies</a></li>
<li>Make slush-yummy alcoholic drink </li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday, 11-22-13</span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Defrost extra pumpkin loaf and batch of chocolate chip cookies for upcoming <a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/what-im-looking-forward-to-in-november.html" target="_blank">Friendsgivings</a></li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Saturday, 11-23-13</span></div>
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<li>Food shopping for all perishables</li>
<li>Initial house clean -all clutter gets put away, etc. </li>
<li>Make bacon wrapped dates and put in oven at 2:45, cook for 15 minutes and head on over to Friensgiving part 1</li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sunday, 11-24-12</span></div>
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<li>-Morning: make mashed potatoes for Friendsgiving</li>
<li>Leave house by 1:30-ish for Friendsgiving 2</li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Monday, 11-25-13</span></div>
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<li>Prep green beans/almonds/garlic</li>
<li>Peel potatoes (Right after I peeled all the potatoes last year, I clearly remember saying that I refused to peel a potato for a minimum of six months)</li>
<li>Make applesauce</li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Tuesday, 11-26-13</span></div>
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<li>Defrost butternut squash soup</li>
<li>-Set table, chairs, decorations</li>
<li>Deep clean both bathrooms (enlist help of teenager and boyfriend)</li>
<li>Pick up reserved turkeys. Yes, two turkeys (Ryan and his cousin had the great idea to fry a turkey as well. I'm staying completely out of the fried turkey fiasco) </li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wednesday, Pre-Turkey Day</span></div>
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<li>Morning: Defrost chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin loaf, apple bread</li>
<li>Prepare Veggie tray and dips</li>
<li>Prepare cheese and crackers</li>
<li>Prepare bacon wrapped dates</li>
<li>Prepare ingredients for stuffing</li>
<li>Cranberry sauce</li>
<li>Prepare fruit platter</li>
<li>Turkey: clean, season, and other stuff. </li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thursday, Turkey Day</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(I plan to have dinner served at 4:00. This day is a little more scheduled in terms of exact times) </span><br />
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<li>9:00: Preheat oven, take turkey out to come to room temperature</li>
<li>9:30-9:45: Put turkey in</li>
<li>Late morning: Begin mashed potatoes</li>
<li>1:00: Begin re-warming butternut squash soup. I'm going for efficiency and will put it in the microwave to begin the process and then into the mini-crockpot. </li>
<li>Set up drink station, cheese/crackers/veggie tray, put bacon-wrapped dates in oven, put potato latkes in oven</li>
<li>2:00 Guests arrive. Put mashed potatoes in crockpot to keep warm</li>
<li>2:30: Put sweet potatoes in oven and begin working on stuffing</li>
<li>3:15: Take out turkey and let sit. Begin cooking green beans</li>
<li>3:30: Begin gravy</li>
<li>3:45: Microwave corn. Teenager begins with crescent waffles. </li>
<li>4:00 EAT</li>
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There isn't really much prep for desserts other than put them on the table so no need to bother with any of that. </div>
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Also, I opted against making the cinnamon pin-wheels (it just became too much) and added in potato latkes (the pre-made kind from the kosher butchery) because it will also be the second night of Chanukah.</div>
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Found this <a href="http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blturkey7.htm" target="_blank">here</a>:<br />
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Roasting times are for a preheated 325 degrees F. oven. <br />
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" valign="center"><tbody>
<tr align="center" bgcolor="#ccccff"><td colspan="2"><span style="color: #330066; font-family: verdana, geneva, helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><b>Approximate Roasting Times for Stuffed Turkey</b></span> </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #330066; font-family: verdana, geneva, helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Turkey Weight</b></span> </center>
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<span style="color: #330066; font-family: verdana, geneva, helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Hours</b></span> </center>
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<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">6 to 8 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">3 to 3-1/2 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">8 to 12 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">12 to 16 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">4-1/2 to 5-1/2 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">16 to 20 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">5-1/2 to 6 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">20 to 24 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">6 to 6-1/2 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="center" bgcolor="#ccccff"><td colspan="2"><span style="color: #330066; font-family: verdana, geneva, helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><b>Approximate Roasting Times for Unstuffed Turkey</b></span> </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #330066; font-family: verdana, geneva, helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Turkey Weight</b></span> </center>
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<span style="color: #330066; font-family: verdana, geneva, helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Hours</b></span> </center>
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<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">6 to 8 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">2-1/2 to 3 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">8 to 12 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">3 to 4 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">12 to 16 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">4 to 5 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">16 to 20 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">5 to 5-1/2 hours</td></tr>
<tr align="Left" valign="Middle"><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">20 to 24 pounds</td><td bgcolor="#eeeeee">5-1/2 to 6 hours</td></tr>
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In case you missed the previous posts on how to host a Thanksgiving dinner, here you go:</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/tips-and-tricks-for-hosting-thanksgiving.html">Tips and Tricks on Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner</a></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-menu.html">Thanksgiving Menu</a></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://makingitmyhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-make-timeline-for-cooking.html" target="_blank">How to Make a Timeline-Part 1</a></li>
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I'm feeling significantly more prepared for Thanksgiving-although not less stressed about it! I'm currently freaking out that my 20 pound turkey is not going to fit in our oven and Thanksgiving will be ruined. </div>
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Holy shit. What the fuck would I do if it didn't fit?!?!?! </div>
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Question for you:</div>
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What would you do if you screwed up the turkey?</div>
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Have you ever had a major kitchen fail? On an important meal??</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08532344746377769693noreply@blogger.com2